bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of triglyceride clearance of haemoperfusion from three cases of hypertriglyceridaemia-induced acute pancreatitis: a case series
Authors: Yip Wah Kwong , Wu Bin , Ye Bao Hua , Chen Min Li , Wu Zi Yao , Ji Cheng Yi
Published: May 2024

Rapid reduction of plasma triglycerides (TG) is believed to improve the outcome of pancreatitis in the context of hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG)-induced acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP). Previous studies have suggested that haemoperfusion (HP) with the Jafron cartridge series could be effective for reducing TG concentrations in patients with HTG-AP. However, the clearance capacity (CC) for TG removal has not been reported. This case series reports on data from three patients with HTG-AP who underwent HP with HA230 or HA330 cartridges. Blood samples were collected from both before and after the cartridge circuit every 30 min and the CC was calculated. Twelve pairs of blood samples were collected for each type of HP cartridge. The mean ± SD CC of the HA230 cartridge for TG removal in this case series was 0.009781 ± 1.117235 ml/min (95% confidence interval [CI], –0.7000762, 0.7196384 ml). The mean ± SD CC of the HA330 cartridge for TG removal in this case series was 0.344914 ± 1.412183 ml/min (95% CI, –0.5523448, 1.2421721 ml). Based on the findings of this small case series, special caution is advised when considering the use of the HA230 and HA330 cartridges for reducing blood TG concentration pending further conclusive evidence from larger studies.
Discrepancies in perceived humanness between spatially filtered and unfiltered faces and their associations with uncanny feelings
Authors: Ito Motohiro , Suzuki Atsunobu
Published: May 2024

Human and artificial features that coexist in certain types of human-like robots create a discrepancy in perceived humanness and evoke uncanny feelings in human observers. However, whether this perceptual mismatch in humanness occurs for all faces, and whether it is related to the uncanny feelings toward them, is unknown. We investigated this by examining perceived humanness for a variety of natural images of robot and human faces with different spatial frequency (SF) information: that is, faces with only low SF, middle SF, and high SF information, and intact (spatially unfiltered) faces. Uncanny feelings elicited by these faces were also measured. The results showed perceptual mismatches that LSF, MSF, and HSF faces were perceived as more human than intact faces. This was particularly true for intact robot faces that looked slightly human, which tended to evoke strong uncanny feelings. Importantly, the mismatch in perceived humanness between the intact and spatially filtered faces was positively correlated with uncanny feelings toward intact faces. Given that the human visual system performs SF analysis when processing faces, the perceptual mismatches observed in this study likely occur in real life for all faces, and as such might be a ubiquitous source of uncanny feelings in real-life situations.
Comparative study on reduction behaviors of low- and high-grade fired hematite iron ore pellets in coal
Authors: Avula Leela Sukh Brahma Reddy , Sahoo Santosh Kumar , Kumar Mithilesh
Published: May 2024

The reduction behaviors of fired Ramallakota (low-grade) and Bolani (high-grade) iron ore pellets were studied isothermally at temperatures of 1123, 1173 and 1223 K in non-coking coal. The degree of reduction progressed with the rise in reduction temperature and time. Ramallakota iron ore pellets exhibited relatively higher reduction rates than Bolani iron ore pellets reduced under identical conditions due to their higher porosity and gangue contents. Comparison of XRD patterns confirmed almost complete reduction in Ramallakota iron ore pellets at all the studied reduction temperatures in a much shorter period. Fayalite and hercynite formations were observed in both the types of reduced iron ore pellets with higher intensities in the pellets of Ramallakota iron ore. SEM images revealed relatively more growth of iron whiskers in reduced Bolani high-grade iron ore pellets. The apparent activation energy values for the reduction of studied iron ore pellets by coal were calculated to be in the range 14–20 kJmol−1, while pellets reduced in coal char under identical conditions exhibited relatively higher values owing to their slower reduction rates.
Impact of bottom-blowing parameters on melt pool homogenization in a 120-ton converter based on carbon-oxygen reaction
Authors: Kang Xinlei , Song Yingqian , Zhang Chaojie , Qin Debo , Pan Jianian , Xu Liang , Zhang Liqiang
Published: May 2024

This paper studies a 120 t converter, focusing on the influence of the CO bubbles generated by the carbon-oxygen reaction during the decarburization process on the stirring action of the melt pool. It examines the effect of the intensity and arrangement of bottom blowing on the homogenization effect, taking into account the dynamics of CO bubbles generated from the carbon-oxygen reaction. Initially, a macroscopic kinetics model for the generation of CO bubbles during the carbon-oxygen reaction in converter steelmaking is established. Subsequently, a water model simulation device for CO bubble generation from the converter's carbon–oxygen reaction is designed, establishing a 120 t converter water model experimental setup with a similarity ratio of 1:8. The main indicator for evaluating the homogenizing effect of the converter is the mixing time, based on which, experimental schemes are designed. Water model experiments are conducted to study the influence of bottom-blowing flow and nozzle arrangement on the melt pool's stirring flow field under the action of carbon-oxygen reaction. The results show that greater generation intensity of CO bubbles from the carbon-oxygen reaction leads to shorter mixing time in the melt pool; when the angular spread of the bottom-blowing elements is small, the bottom-blowing gas flow is relatively concentrated, facilitating stirring in the melt pool. However, increasing the angular spread of the nozzles to a certain extent leads to the dispersion of bottom-blowing energy, making it difficult to form effective stirring; when the bottom-blowing flow is less than 1.5 Nm3/h, the mixing time of the melt pool decreases with the increase of bottom-blowing flow; when the bottom-blowing flow is greater than 1.5 Nm3/h, the mixing time of the melt pool increases with the increase of bottom-blowing flow. In addition, a series of industrial experiments were carried out, and the research results were applied to the actual production process. By comparing the test results after the optimization scheme with the production data of the original process, it was found that the optimization scheme significantly improved the smelting efficiency and reduced the production cost. These research results not only provide a theoretical basis, but also provide practical guidance for the optimization of converter smelting process.
Cleansing the molten steel due to the dispersed in situ phase induced by the composite sphere explosion reaction II. Inclusion removal
Authors: Wang Xiaofeng , Zhang Yijian , Ding Fei , Zhang Xiaojun
Published: May 2024

Industrial trials have been carried out on the base of the former experimental research and the CaCO3 proportion in composite sphere, feeding amount, and composite sphere feeding mode have been investigated. The fine inclusion removal mechanism has been analyzed. The results indicate that feeding composite sphere in RH degasser is a novel process and small inclusion in the molten steel can be removed effectively. CaCO3/CaO ratio in composite sphere has a great effect on the inclusion removal efficiency. More feeding times and a little feeding amount can increase the composite sphere utilization efficiency. Compared with the conventional inclusion removal technology, the number density of the oxide inclusion can be decreased to a lower level and the inclusion size becomes much finer. Using this novel process, T.O. in the as-cast slab can approach to 6 ppm.
Ensemble Machine Learning Classification Models for Predicting Pavement Condition
Authors: Chung Frederick , Doyle Andy , Robinson Ernay , Paik Yejee , Li Mingshu , Baek Minsoo , Moore Brian , Ashuri Baabak
Published: May 2024

Forecasting pavement performance condition is essential within the pavement management system to optimize decisions with regard to planning maintenance and rehabilitation projects. Accurate forecasts facilitate timely interventions and assist in formulating cost-effective asset management plans. Data-driven machine learning models that utilize historical data to improve forecasting precision have gained attention in the field of asset management. Although numerous studies have employed regression-based models to forecast pavement condition, transportation asset management often operates according to condition index ranges rather than exact values. Therefore, classification models are suitable for predicting pavement condition grades and determining the appropriate maintenance type for pavement assets. This research focuses on developing five machine learning classification models to predict pavement condition: random forest; gradient boost; support vector machine; k-nearest neighbors; and artificial neural network. To enhance prediction performance, these models are integrated using ensemble methods, including voting and stacking. The classification models are developed using a dataset from the Georgia Department of Transportation that documented the condition of asphalt pavements for predefined maintenance sections between 2017 and 2021. A voting ensemble model constructed with the two best-performing individual classification models reached the highest accuracy rate at 83%. Although the performance of individual models fluctuates, ensemble models consistently produce a top-tier performance regardless of the variations in data sampling. Therefore, ensemble methods are recommended for developing pavement condition prediction models to improve accuracy and achieve a more consistent quality of predictions. The findings of this research will provide transportation agencies with information to help them strengthen their forecasting practices in relation to pavement condition, thereby improving their maintenance planning and cost savings.
Optimization of Network Pavement Life-Cycle Cost: A Piecewise Linearized Approach
Authors: Sayeh Watheq , Al-Qadi Imad L.
Published: May 2024

Optimal management of pavement assets becomes important because of the escalating challenges in this field. Managing the network of paved roadways in the United States necessitates the introduction of optimization tools, such as mathematical optimization. Although several efficient optimization techniques are available, an effective approach requires a special structure of the problem. The optimization of a pavement maintenance and rehabilitation schedule poses a complex challenge, primarily because of two factors: nonlinearity and the presence of integer decision variables. Nonlinearity exists as a result of multiple sources. One source is pavement condition, commonly measured by pavement roughness. This study introduces a method that uses piecewise linearization of the pavement roughness progression function. Circular shift was used to linearize the resulting optimization model. A hypothetical city, the size of Cook County in Chicago, was used as a case study. Both agency cost and user cost were considered in the model. Agency cost was determined from consultations with professionals and online data, whereas user data on existing models. The study demonstrated that increasing the agency cost by investing one dollar per lane mile per year has a high return on investment until a certain threshold, beyond which allocating more budget does not lead to a reduction in life-cycle cost.
Trusted Perception Method for Traffic Signs That Are Physically Attacked
Authors: Huang Shize , Tan Qunyao , Zhang Zhaoxin , Fan Qianhui , Zhang Yi , Li Xingying
Published: May 2024

Traffic sign recognition is a crucial method by which autonomous driving systems acquire road information, and is predominantly based on deep neural networks (DNNs). However, the recognition results of DNNs are not always trustworthy for traffic signs subject to abnormal disturbance. Recently, the phenomenon of adversarial examples successfully deceiving DNNs has garnered considerable attention. Because DNN-based computer vision techniques are becoming increasingly prevalent in traffic scenarios, the misclassification of attacked traffic signs by DNN classifiers poses serious safety hazards. Although numerous methods have been proposed for crafting physical adversarial examples that are robust in the real world, most existing defense approaches focus on digital attacks, which necessitate the adversary infiltrating the embedded system; thus, it becomes challenging to obtain results. A reliable approach for defending against physical adversarial traffic signs enables autonomous vehicles to achieve trusted perception of traffic signs. In this paper, we present a deep image prior-based pipeline to defend against robust adversarial traffic signs in the real world, an approach that circumvents the need for prior data sets during training. Our approach protects the safety of autonomous vehicles by performing image reconstruction of captured traffic sign images. The genuine traffic sign class can be inferred by leveraging the consistency of the victim classifier’s decision results for reconstructed images at different stages. Additionally, we evaluate the efficacy of our defense pipeline for detecting other potential types of physical adversarial traffic signs that may exist in the real world, thus demonstrating the generalizability of our approach.
Balanced Mix Design Plus for Mixtures that Contain Recycled Asphalt Pavement
Authors: Mocelin Douglas Martins , Kim Y. Richard
Published: May 2024

Recent efforts have been made to include mixture performance tests at the mix design stage using so-called “balanced” mix design (BMD). This paper evaluates the use of two mixtures that contain intermediate and high recycled asphalt pavement contents in the context of a BMD approach referred to as balanced mix design plus (BMD+). BMD+ utilizes the dynamic modulus, cyclic fatigue, and stress sweep rutting tests and mechanistic models and has three tiers of design based on the amount of performance testing required. As part of the BMD+ approach, index–volumetrics relationships (IVRs) and performance–volumetrics relationships (PVRs) based on the four-corner concept were developed for the two mixtures and verified using the performance data from seven other volumetric conditions. The developed PVRs were used to perform BMD+ Tier 3 analysis of the two mixtures, whereas the IVRs based on two points at the target air void content of 4% were used to conduct BMD+ Tier 2 analysis. The results indicate that the use of BMD+ Tier 2, which requires performance tests at only two conditions and without pavement simulations, yields longer lasting mixtures compared with Tier 1, which follows the Superpave volumetric mix design method. It was also found that Tier 3 requires more testing and pavement simulations but leads to even further gains in predicted life duration compared with Tier 2.
Networkwide Traffic State Forecasting Using Exogenous Information: A Multi-Dimensional Graph Attention-Based Approach
Authors: Islam Syed , Filipovska Monika
Published: May 2024

Traffic-state forecasting is crucial for traffic management and control strategies, as well as user- and system-level decision-making in the transportation network. While traffic forecasting has been approached with a variety of techniques over the last couple of decades, most approaches simply rely on endogenous traffic variables for state prediction, despite the evidence that exogenous factors can significantly affect traffic conditions. This paper proposes a multidimensional spatiotemporal graph attention-based traffic-prediction approach (M-STGAT), which predicts traffic based on past observations of speed, along with lane-closure events, temperature, and visibility across a large transportation network. The approach is based on a graph attention network architecture, which learns based on the structure of the transportation network on which these variables are observed. Numerical experiments are performed using traffic-speed and lane-closure data from the Caltrans Performance Measurement System (PeMS) and corresponding weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOOA) Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS). The numerical experiments implement three alternative models which do not allow for multidimensional input, along with two alternative multidimensional models, based on the literature. The M-STGAT outperforms the five alternative models in validation and testing with the primary data set, as well as for one transfer data set across all three prediction horizons for all error measures. However, the model’s transferability varies for the remaining two transfer data sets, which may require further investigation. The results demonstrate that M-STGAT has the most consistently low error values across all transfer data sets and prediction horizons.
Systemic Predictive Safety Analysis of Pedestrian Crashes for Montgomery County’s Vision Zero Program
Authors: Kumfer Wesley , McGowan Jesse Cohn , Nordback Krista , Vann Mike , Lan Bo , Frizzelle Brian , Thomas Libby
Published: May 2024

The goal of Vision Zero is the prevention of all traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Although traditional transportation planning is reactive to locations where serious crashes occur, some agencies are taking a more proactive approach to safety to improve locations with high expected crashes before someone is seriously injured or killed. This paper presents the results of a systemic safety analysis that produced two pedestrian-related safety performance functions for Montgomery County, MD, including 1) motor vehicle crashes with pedestrians at intersections at night and 2) through-movement motor vehicle crashes with pedestrians at road sections. These models were built using negative binomial regression of police-reported crash data collected from 2015 to 2019 for most of the county road network integrated with land use-, demographic-, and roadway variables collected by the Montgomery County Planning Department for 16,387 intersections (stop-controlled and signalized) and 29,715 segments (all functional classifications except freeways). Both models identified key transportation-related exposure variables, including motor vehicle and pedestrian volumes, proximity to transit, and crosswalk locations; they also presented land use contexts that may explain where pedestrians are likely to walk and be exposed to crash risks. These results build on current systemic safety literature and demonstrate the data collection and analysis methods that can be used in a county-level Vision Zero context to improve safety for all who walk. This paper summarizes the analysis approach, including exposure modeling, crash modeling, and applications for identifying both high-risk locations and potential mitigations. Considerations for equity and long-term planning are also discussed.
“Dual Pandemics”: Intersecting Influences of Anti-Black Racism and the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Black Youth
Authors: Osman Samah , Aiello Olivia , Brouillette Khadija , Taylor Mischa , McKenzie Kwame , Renzaho Andre M. N. , Henderson Jo , Hamilton Hayley , Salami Bukola
Published: May 2024

Background

The intersection of the COVID-19 pandemic with systemic anti-Black racism in the form of police violence and the subsequent Black Lives Matter movement has created an especially critical juncture to examine the mental health of Black youth.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to understand the intersecting impacts of anti-Black racism and the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Black youth.

Methods

A youth-engaged research approach and intersectionality framework were utilized. Semi-structured interviews with Black youth across Canada (ages 16 to 30, n  = 48) were conducted online via Zoom and analyzed using thematic analysis. Fourteen Black youth were hired to form a Black youth advisory committee, who guided the research process.

Results

The “dual pandemics” of the COVID-19 pandemic alongside highly publicized incidents of racism and the subsequent Black Lives Matter movement negatively impacted participants’ mental health. Four main themes emerged: (1) ongoing exposure to acts of anti-Black racism (2) compounding effect of racism on mental health; (3) high stress levels and fear; and (4) anger and emotional fatigue from lack of shared, long-term solutions.

Conclusion

The simultaneous occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic and instances of systemic anti-Black racism in the form of police violence presented “dual pandemics” for the Black community, profoundly impacting the mental health of Black youth and adding urgency and impetus to its prioritization. Results of this study indicate that it is critical to explore each event individually as well as the combined impact on the mental health of Black youth, particularly from a racial perspective.
Addressing Culturally Based Hidden Bias and RacisM (A-CHARM) Using Simulation Experiences, Nik’s Story: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Authors: Sawhney Monakshi , Li Jenny S. , Patterson Michaela , Gumapac Nathaniel P. , Sau Crystal , Akbari Ali
Published: May 2024

Background/Purpose

Racism and hidden bias experienced by underrepresented nursing students contribute to a loss of confidence and anxiety. The A-CHARM nursing project developed virtual simulation experiences for nursing students to practice how to address racism. ‘Nik's Story’ virtual simulation was created as part of the A-CHARM project. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an education intervention, that included Nik's story, on cultural humility and cultural diversity awareness.

Method

This quasi-experimental study included a convenience sample of final year nursing students. After informed consent, participants completed a pre-intervention questionnaire that included the Cultural Humility Scale “context for difference in perspective” subscale, and the Cultural Diversity Awareness questionnaire to assess baseline knowledge. Students participated in an education intervention that included a lecture, Nik's story virtual simulation experience, a debrief and then completed a post-education/simulation questionnaire that included usability/learner engagement questions and the Cultural Humility Scale “context for difference in perspective” subscale, and the Cultural Diversity Awareness questionnaire.

Results

Forty-seven students consented and completed the pre/post intervention questionnaire. Participants rated the effectiveness, engagement and usability of the simulation experience highly. There was a significant positive change in cultural humility “context for difference in perspective” subscale (pre-scores = 6.9, SD = 3.3; post-scores = 31.0, SD = 3.8, p < 0.001), and cultural diversity awareness (pre-scores = 95.4, SD = 8.9; post-scores = 103.4, SD = 9.8, p < 0.001).

Discussion

This intervention was effective in improving cultural humility and cultural diversity awareness in nursing students.

Conclusion

Simulation experiences regarding racism in the clinical setting provide a strategy for students to learn how to professionally navigate unwanted experiences.
Color Hearing: Creating a Body of Creative Design Scholarship Using Psychomimicry
Authors: Ridgway Jessica L.
Published: May 2024

This study examined the use of psychomimicry in the apparel design process by exploring a series of three garments entitled, Color Hearing. The designer delineates the iterative design process, explains the design challenges, and expands on what is known by implementing a new technique of coding music to create textile print designs. The designer used a four-stage design process for each of the three garments included in this study. The important contributions of this study include the novel approach of using psychomimicry as a design influence and the establishment of a coding process to generate textile print designs based on the neurological phenomena of synesthesia.
Nonparticipation Bias in Accelerometer-Based Studies and the Use of Propensity Scores
Authors: Antoun Christopher , Wenz Alexander
Published: May 2024

Relatively little attention has been paid to the effects of nonparticipation on data quality in population-based studies that use accelerometers to measure physical activity. We examine these issues using data from the 2013 Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social Sciences (LISS) panel and 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) accelerometer studies, both of which collected survey data in advance and therefore permit comparisons of self-reported physical activity between participants and nonparticipants to the accelerometer studies. While individuals with high levels of self-reported physical activity are overrepresented in the participant samples, the differences are modest in both studies. However, in the LISS panel this difference led to overestimates of physical activity that are not fully corrected by propensity score weighting adjustments (i.e., non-ignorable selection bias). This finding underscores the importance of assessing the potential influence of nonparticipation on accelerometer-derived estimates of physical activity.
Q-learning based scheduling method for continuous pickling process of titanium strips
Authors: Yang Biao , Shi Yuyi , Wu Zhaogang
Published: May 2024

This article addresses the energy consumption optimization problems of the pickling process for titanium strip manufacturing. The hybrid flow shop scheduling schemes for the pickling process of titanium strips are designed, and a novel shop scheduling method based on reinforcement learning is proposed for the pickling process of titanium strips. In the scheduling scheme, the pickling chemical treatment process of titanium strips are described as an asymmetric hybrid flow shop scheduling problem (AHFSP), and a mathematical model containing a temperature structure is established with the optimization objectives of minimizing pickling time and energy consumption. Based on the proposed scheduling scheme, a novel shop scheduling method based on reinforcement learning for the titanium strip pickling process is proposed. First, a mixed integer linear programing model for the mixed flow shop scheduling problem is established. Second, the flow shop scheduling problem with sequential energy consumption decisions is approximated as an asymmetric traveling sales-man problem (ATSP). Finally, the ATSP is described as a Markov decision processes (MDP), and a Q-learning based scheduling method for titanium strip pickling shops is proposed. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by examples, and the scheduling scheme can reduce the energy consumption by 16.61% on average while maintaining the schedule, which improves the productivity and economic efficiency.
Inclined magnetic field and joule heat on unsteady ternary nanofluidic flow impinging over a convectively heated cylinder
Authors: Gangadhar Kotha , Ananda Vardhana K , Wakif Abderrahim
Published: May 2024

The present analysis considered the condition of unsteady stagnation point flow on ternary nanofluid [Formula: see text] through the regularly affecting and convective heated stretchable cylinder by the effect on inclining Lorentz force. This influence on thermal radiation, velocity slip, viscous dissipation, and Joule dissipation were again integrated by the analysis. The suitable thermo-physical relationship in the hybrid nanofluid is cultivated into followed Xue form. With the help of appropriate comparison alterations, the controlling dimensional numerical equations were transformed by the dimensionless models. The governing equations are transformed through comparison transformation and mathematically tackled in MATLAB with a boundary value problem algorithm. These mathematical solutions were validated with the presented material. Tabular and graphical descriptions of mathematical information were utilized to analyze the physical effect on different relevant parameters in the ternary nanofluid temperature and velocity. This thermal buoyancy force hikes the fluid flow although the opposite direction was noted in magnetic parameters and velocity slips. This heat transport rate in the surface was enhanced by an improvement in thermal radiation, Biot number, and solid fraction of nanoparticles. Moreover, a 44.9754% enhanced decreased skin friction is observed by triple nanoparticle nanofluid it signifies its best behavior as related to both other nanofluids.
Experimental research on vibration reduction characteristics of adhesively bonded beam structures with acoustic black hole geometry
Authors: Ongun Rıdvan , Saruhan Hamit
Published: May 2024

Beam structures are widely used in industrial applications such as automobiles, aircraft, naval architecture, trains, and buildings. The vibration characteristics of beams are inherent phenomenon and directly affect usage comfort and service life, but more dangerously may damage the structure due to excessive vibrations that are transmitted through the surrounding structure of the system. Vibration reduction of beam structures is a continuous challenge for industrial applications. It is important to reduce vibrations of the beam structures for stability. In this study, experimental research on vibration reduction characteristics of adhesively bonded beam structures with Acoustic Black Hole technique is presented. The Acoustic Black Hole, which is a geometry, tapered with a power-law profile enables vibration reduction by decreasing the velocity and the wavelength of vibration. The inherent natural vibration properties called modal parameters such as the natural frequencies, damping, and mode shapes of the beam structure with and without damping layer using power-law profile having various the Acoustic Black Hole length and exponent values were investigated and evaluated with experimental modal analysis. For validation, natural frequencies are determined numerically by the finite element method, and then compared with results obtained by the experimental modal analysis. The overall results indicated that the Acoustic Black Hole has ability to significantly suppress the vibration level and showed the capability of enhancing the damping efficiency when using the damping layer attached to the Acoustic Black Hole length of the beam structure.
Guns and Democracy: Anti-System Attitudes, Protest, and Support for Violence Among Pandemic Gun-Buyers
Authors: Simonson Matthew D. , Lacombe Matthew J. , Green Jon , Druckman James N.
Published: May 2024

The last decade has given rise to substantial concern about democratic backsliding in the U.S. Manifestations include decreased trust in government, conspiratorial beliefs, contentious protests, and support for political violence. Surprisingly, prior work has not explored how these attitudes and behaviors relate to gun-buying, an action that provides people with the means to challenge the state. We address this topic by focusing on the unprecedented gun-buying surge during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a survey with over 32,000 respondents, we find that—relative to pre-existing gun owners (who did not buy during the pandemic) and the non-gun-owning public—pandemic gun-buyers are more likely to distrust government, believe in conspiracies, protest, and support political violence. These anti-government views and protest behaviors are especially likely among those who bought guns for political reasons. Our findings highlight a crucial dynamic underlying the recent spike in gun sales with consequences for American democracy.
Peripapillary pachychoroid syndrome treated with dexamethasone implant: A case report
Authors: Feo Alessandro , La Spina Carlo , Romano Mario R , Querques Giuseppe , Panico Edoardo , Panico Claudio , Del Turco Claudia
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To describe a case of peripapillary pachychoroid syndrome (PPS) in a diabetic patient with cystoid macular edema (CME), treated with intravitreal dexamethasone implant (IDI) injection. This report also illustrates the history of the disease after repeated IDI and dexamethasone topical treatment.

Methods

A case report.

Results

A 77-year old male patient with PPS and good diabetic control was treated with dexamethasone implant for CME. After an initial morphofunctional improvement associated with a first IDI, the disease relapsed after the second dexamethasone implant injection. This was associated with a significant increase in both intraretinal fluid and choroidal thickness, with subsequent visual acuity (VA) decrease. At this point, a topical dexamethasone treatment was performed and, despite a morphological improvement, VA worsened compared with baseline, likely because of anatomical damage.

Conclusion

In this report, the importance of the recognition of PPS is underlined and the possible occurrence of a “rebound” effect due to repeated IDI is described.
The Characteristics of White Dot Syndromes Following SARS-COV-2 Infection: A Systematic Review
Authors: Serhan Hashem Abu , Suilik Husam Abu , Hassan Amr K. , AlSamhori Jehad Feras , Hassan Abdul Rhman , Siddiq Abdelmonem , Helal Rehab Sabry , Metilda Sudha , Elnahry Ayman G
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To review all studies reporting the occurrence of white dot syndromes (WDSs) following SARS-COV-2 infection.

Methods

On May 12, 2023, we registered our protocol on PROSPERO [registration number: CRD42023426012]. Five different databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Science Direct were searched up to May 2023. We included all studies that reported the symptoms of WDSs following SARS-COV-2 infection. The data was extracted using a uniform Excel extraction sheet. All statistical tests were conducted with a 95% confidence interval and a 5% error margin. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The publication bias of included studies was assessed using JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Case Reports and IHE Quality Appraisal Checklist for Case Series studies.

Results

This review included thirty-two studies involving forty-eight patients. Acute macular neuroretinopathy was the most common disease (70.8%) followed by multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (14.6%) with 58.3% of WDS after their first SARS-COV-2 infection, and paracentral acute middle maculopathy (4.1%). They were mostly unilateral (56.2%). The presenting symptoms were blurred vision (70.8%), visual field disturbance (68.7%), and photopsia (20.8%). About 35.4% of the patients improved by their treatment and future complications were persistent scotoma (4.2%) and macular edema (2.1%).

Conclusion

White dot syndromes are very rare entities. Our findings suggest a possible association between white dot syndrome onset and SARS-COV-2 infection. We recommend ophthalmologists should be aware of this suggested association to deliver better management and patients’ care.
Telemedicine: Does it have a place in surgical oncology practice?
Authors: Kelley Jesse K , Kelly Kathrine A , Rechner Sydney , Brown Hannah , Kim Sarah , Spencer Sophia , Martin Elizabeth , Reed Charles , Wright Gerald P , Assifi Murwarid M , Chung Mathew
Published: May 2024

Background

Telemedicine has gained traction in surgical subspecialties, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to identify whether telemedicine can be appropriately integrated within surgical oncology practice.

Methods

This retrospective study evaluated patients who received either telemedicine or office follow-up after undergoing surgical oncology operations between 2016 and 2021. The telemedicine group (TG) and office group (OG) received a 15-question survey regarding their satisfaction with their care. Patient outcomes and responses were analyzed utilizing propensity-score matching in 1:1 fashion.

Results

Telemedicine group and OG each had 21 patients. Length of stay, complication frequency, follow-up frequency, and readmissions frequency within 90-days were comparable between groups. Telemedicine group expressed comparable satisfaction with postoperative care relative to OG (95.2% vs. 85.7%, p = 0.61). All telemedicine patients said they would utilize telemedicine again in the future and would recommend its use to others.

Conclusion

Patient satisfaction with postoperative telemedicine follow-up is comparable to those with in-person follow-up.
The artification of fossils in commercial art spaces: Dinosaurs in a desirescape
Authors: Yates Donna , Peacock Emily
Published: May 2024

In this article we consider the movement of fossils into art commercial spaces as a process of artification underpinned by the deep object associations that art spaces foster. We combine observational data gathering at art and fossil fairs, dealerships, and auctions with snapshot analysis of the online market for Tyrannosaurus rex fossils, contextualized by interviews with palaeontologists and fossil dealers, to understand the increasing appearance of fossils within art commercial spaces. We believe that the placement of fossils within the art market desirescape, so within a network of alluring, provocative, affective art objects, allows the fossils to transform into what consumers would consider art. The fossils then gain the social associations that artworks have for these consumers. We believe that art and fossil consumers are not simply drawn to individual objects of desire, but to the myriad associations those objects have with other objects and the deep meanings those associations overlay. Those associations and the network they form can, in turn, transform the objects within it. When a fossil is artified, it can be desired like art, and can command art prices.
The effect of positive emotion on foreign language teacher engagement and well-being: A cross-cultural comparison
Authors: Azari Noughabi Mostafa , Yang Shanshan , Botes Elouise , Dewaele Jean-Marc
Published: May 2024

Foreign language teaching enjoyment (FLTE) has recently been introduced as a broad positive emotion experienced by foreign language (FL) teachers, despite obstacles embedded in FL teaching. However, identifying its psychological outcomes – and the cultural specificity of these outcomes – has received scant research attention across different contexts. The present cross-cultural study aims to investigate whether teachers’ FLTE can predict and influence engagement and well-being in the English as a foreign language (EFL) context of Iran and China. A series of structural equation models (SEMs) indicated that EFL teachers’ FLTE affected their work engagement and well-being in both Iranian and Chinese samples, with structural invariance tests confirming the group-level differences between Iranian and Chinese EFL teachers in the light of FLTE outcomes. The study provides insight into the positive outcomes of positive emotions in FL teaching as framed by the lens of positive psychology. In addition, a rare non-Western cross-cultural comparison contributes to the ongoing discussions in literature regarding the influence of cultural contexts on the experience and outcome manifestation of positive emotions.
Risky business: How food-delivery platform riders understand and manage safety at work
Authors: Wang Qingyu , Churchill Brendan
Published: May 2024

This study explores the issue of workplace safety among food-delivery workers who use platforms like UberEATS and Deliveroo to secure work. Despite the high exposure to hazardous traffic, extreme weather conditions, and unsafe work hours and locations that these workers face daily, safety remains a low priority for both platforms and governments. This study utilizes in-depth qualitative interviews with 14 platform food delivery workers in Melbourne, Australia, to examine how they understand and manage safety risks at work, drawing on a theoretical framework of necropolitics and liminal precarity. The riders are predominantly migrant workers on temporary visas who face corporeal risks influenced by factors such as road conditions, time pressures, and weather. Despite their awareness of these dangers, the study reveals that platform-induced necropower, driven by economic incentives, significantly impacts those heavily dependent on gig economy earnings, ultimately turning safety into a trade-off between making a living and surviving. However, riders also demonstrate agency by mediating risks through experience, knowledge-sharing, and strategic use of the platform's features to resist potentially hazardous conditions.
Enabling futures? Disability and sociology of futures
Authors: Morgan Hannah , Tutton Richard
Published: May 2024

Much envisaging of the future is inherently ableist. Euro-American cultural imaginaries traditionally have emphasised the narrative of medical progress, assuming the end of impairment. Disability is a frequent trope for and in dystopias, whereas more positive or progressive futures ignore the presence and aspirations of disabled people who are frequently excluded from individual and collective endeavours to articulate and shape the future. They are presumed to be in effect ‘futureless’, lacking a future of value, leaving an unoccupied space for existing inequalities and privileges to flourish. This paper brings disability studies and sociology of futures into dialogue and makes the case for creating crip space(s) within sociologies of the future. Foregrounding disability can trouble and enrich sociological engagements with futurity, while analytic perspectives from sociology of futures can inform scholarship in disability studies.
Photovoice: Methodological Insights from a Multi-site Online Design
Authors: Pasco Michelle C. , Roque Anais , Romanello Brittany , Estrada Emir
Published: May 2024

Photovoice involves respondents taking photographs of their environment to promote critical discussions and reflect on their experiences. Photovoice empowers marginalized communities and serves to reach policymakers. The Arizona Youth Identity Project (AZYIP) used photovoice with an innovative approach in a multisite research design with a large sample size and completely online research implementation using video conferencing, mobile phones, and video messages. We outline our process for other researchers interested in utilizing this dynamic method. We also reflect on the challenges and opportunities of engaging in this research design for future projects.
Small Nucleolar RNAs as Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gao Liyun , Fan Junfei , He Jiayin , Che Xiangxin , Wang Xin , Han Chunhua
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) form clusters within the genome, representing a mysterious category of small non-coding RNAs. Research has demonstrated that aberrant snoRNAs can contribute to the development of various types of cancers. Recent studies have identified snoRNAs as potentially valuable biomarkers for the diagnosis or/and prognosis of cancers. However, there has been a lack of comprehensive reviews on prognostic and diagnostic snoRNAs across different types of cancers.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search of various databases including Google Scholar, Medline, Cochrane, Scopus, PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, Ovid-Medline, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang, and SinoMed with a time frame reception to December 30, 2022. A total of 49 relevant articles were included in our analysis, consisting of 21 articles focusing on diagnostic aspects and 41 articles focusing on prognostic aspects. Pooled odds ratio, 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and hazard ratio (HR) were utilized to evaluate clinical parameters and overall survival (OS), respectively.

Result

The findings indicated that area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.85, 75%, and 80% in cancer, respectively. There was a possibility that snoRNAs had a positive impact on the diagnosis (risk ratio, RR = 2.95, 95% CI: 2.75-3.16, P = 0.000) and OS (HR = 1) in cancer. Additionally, abnormally expressed snoRNAs were associated with a positive impact on OS time for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (HR: 0.88, 95%Cl: 0.69-1.11, P < 0.00001), colon adenocarcinoma (HR: 0.97, 95%Cl: 0.91-1.03, P < 0.0001), and ovarian cancer (HR: 0.98, 95%Cl: 0.98-0.99, P < 0.00001). However, dysregulated snoRNAs of colon cancer and colorectal cancer had a negative impact on OS time (HR = 3.01 and 1.01 respectively, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The results strongly suggested that snoRNAs could serve as potential novel indicators for prognosis and diagnosis in cancers. This systematic review followed the guidelines of the Transparent Reporting of Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PROSPERO register: CRD42020209096).
Comprehensive Virtual Treatment for Severe Anxiety in Youth: A Case Report
Authors: Gittins Stone Daniel I. , Potter Mona P. , Doucette Hannah , Weissel Brianna , Boger Kathryn D.
Published: May 2024

Anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are among the most common mental health conditions in children and adolescents and are associated with various impairments and long-term consequences. Evidence-based treatments exist but are often lacking in elements needed to effectively treat youth with more severe presentations. This case report illustrates a patient’s treatment course in an innovative program for children, adolescents, and young adults with severe anxiety. The program offers a continuum of outpatient, evidence-based care tailored to the severity of the patient’s condition. The case study focuses on “Jane,” an adolescent female with anxiety as well as obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders, who had previously received extensive treatment without sustained improvement. Through the program’s three treatment phases, Jane and her parents demonstrated consistent engagement and adherence to treatment. Jane showed significant progress, with rapid reduction in symptoms and functional impairment. This case report underscores key elements of this treatment that address gaps in traditional approaches to care, particularly for patients with severe presentations, including the coordinated, team-based approach; the continuum of evidence-based, phased treatment titrated to need; the utilization of virtual individual, group and parent-focused care and between-session coaching to enhance learning generalization; and the use of measurement-based care. Further research is warranted to evaluate the generalizability and long-term outcomes of this program and its potential to transform the treatment landscape for pediatric anxiety and OCD.