bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Applying the SEEV Model to Assess Where People Will Look: Practical Considerations
Authors: Green Paul
Published: August 2024

For safety-critical tasks, such as landing an airplane and driving through an intersection, operators must find critical information quickly, which depends upon where they are likely to look, specifically dwell percentages. These values can be estimated using the SEEV computational model which includes four primary factors: Salience, Effort, Expectancy, and Value. To assist the practitioner developing interfaces for these and other tasks, this paper describes each factor in detail, provides example hand calculations, and identifies computational software for complex analyses (e.g., the Automation Design Advisor Tool, the Adaptive Information Expectancy Model, the Human Efficiency Evaluator, MIDAS, Automation Design Advisor Tool, and Eijssen’s SEEV model). Getting access to this software can be challenging.
Impacts of Non-Driving-Related Task Interface Design on Time Changes of Motion Sickness Severity and Task Performance During Fully Autonomous Driving
Authors: Kim Sungmin , Park Woojin
Published: August 2024

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) promise enhanced safety and mobility, allowing passengers to perform non-driving-related tasks (NDRTs). However, motion sickness (MS) poses a significant challenge to AV adoption. This study examined the impact of different NDRT interfaces (Visual vs. Auditory displays, Manual vs. Speech controls) on MS severity and NDRT performance. An experiment with 20 participants was conducted, where each participant completed simulated AV trials for each interface combination. Results showed that Visual displays with Manual control (VM) led to the fastest MS severity increase, while Auditory displays with Speech control (AS) were most effective in mitigating MS. Conversely, VM maintained NDRT performance better over time, while Auditory-Manual (AM) exhibited the steepest performance decline. The findings highlight the need for interface designs that balance MS mitigation and NDRT performance, suggesting further research into adaptive, context-aware AV interfaces to optimize user experience and safety.
Considerations for Developing Patient-centered Clinical Decision Support: Preventing Older Adult Falls after Emergency Department Visits
Authors: Barton Hanna J. , Maru Apoorva , Lin Olivia , Leaf Margaret A. , Hekman Daniel J , Wiegmann Douglas A. , Shah Manish N. , Patterson Brian W.
Published: August 2024

To support the ongoing adaptation and implementation of an Emergency Department (ED)-based clinical decision support (CDS) tool to prevent future falls, we interviewed older adults ( n = 15) during their ED stay. We elicited their feedback on the written and verbal content of the existing CDS, feelings about the automated risk-screening aspect of the CDS and asked them to identify barriers that would prevent them from following up with the Falls Clinic to which the CDS supports referral placements. Our findings suggest that the older adults interviewed saw the CDS simply as another tool that they trusted their ED physician/APP to interact with. The identified barriers to follow-up reflect common access barriers such as transportation availability and clinic distance. For CDS tools to impact real-life patient outcomes, we must consider patient’s needs and limitations and appropriately match interventions.
Externalized and Extended Cognition: Cognitive Offloading for Human-Machine Teaming
Authors: Diaz Alfaro Giovani , Fiore Stephen M. , Oden Kevin
Published: August 2024

Technological advances are increasing the complexity of, interactivity with, and cognitive demands on, human agents, particularly when AI is introduced. If we are to successfully reduce cognitive workload (CWL), we must adjust how we conceptualize cognition in manned-unmanned teaming environments. Towards this end, we draw from cognitive science theory, and the idea that the processes and products of cognition are extended across natural and artificial cognitive systems and embedded within a socio-technical environment. This necessitates a consideration of the system and environment as the same cognitive unit as the operator. We take a cognitive systems perspective and focus on the role of interaction and interdependence of human-machine teaming to provide insights for mitigating workload by extending cognition via scaffolding and offloading. Through this application of extended cognition theory, we offer a multi-disciplinarily informed approach, allowing us to provide a set of theoretically grounded research questions for understanding and improving workload.
Interface Design to Support Transfer of Tactical Control (ToTC) in Distributed Teams
Authors: Oldham Hunter , Ruff Heath , Frost Elizabeth , Bartik Jessica , Behymer Kyle , Liechty Molly
Published: August 2024

To be effective, future combined joint operations will require distributed teams to share assets via the Transfer of Tactical Control (ToTC). The goal of this research was to develop and conduct a usability assessment of ToTC enabling interfaces within a UxV command and control simulation testbed. Three interfaces were developed: Enhanced Play Workbook, ToTC Request Tile, and Enhanced Vehicle Status Tile. These interfaces were evaluated by eleven participants with UxV (MQ-9 pilots/sensor operators) or battle management experience within a base defense scenario. Within the resource constrained scenario, participant completed just over half of the tasks and ToTC request rates were low overall. When UxV requests were performed by participants, their feedback suggested that the interfaces enhanced team situation awareness, but the request process could be further streamlined to support situations in which there might be a high rate of requests.
The Intersection of Voice Assistants and Autonomous Vehicles: A Scoping Review
Authors: Chu Aries , Huang Gaojian
Published: August 2024

Voice assistants are increasingly popular in autonomous vehicles, with over one-third of United States drivers using them. However, more knowledge is needed for future technology advancements. A scoping review was conducted to understand factors that may impact the use of in-vehicle voice assistants. The PRISMA method identified relevant articles across three databases (Engineering Village, OneSearch, and IEEE Explore), resulting in 35 articles meeting the criteria. The paper explores three areas of intersection between autonomous vehicles and voice assistants: user interactions, user experience, and accessibility. These areas cover subthemes of tone, gender, anthropomorphism, trust, privacy and security, situation awareness, and visual inclusiveness. Results show differences in individual preferences and an understanding of how voice assistants can integrate seamlessly to meet drivers’ needs and expectations. The findings of this study provide insights into the user experiences of voice assistants (VAs) in today’s vehicles and the factors that impact their usage, which will help improve future in-vehicle systems to become more inclusive.
Exploring the Relationship Between Drivers’ Stationary Gaze Entropy and Situation Awareness in a Level-3 Automation Driving Simulation
Authors: Ding Wen , Murzello Yovela , Cao Shi , Samuel Siby
Published: August 2024

The transition period from automation to manual, known as the takeover process, presents challenges for drivers due to the deficiency in collecting requisite contextual information. The current study collected drivers’ eye movement in a simulated takeover experiment, and their Situation Awareness (SA) was assessed using the Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique (SAGAT) method. The drivers’ Stationary Gaze Entropy (SGE) was calculated based on the percentages of time they spent on six pre-defined Areas of Interests (AOIs). Three critical time windows were extracted by using the takeover alert time spot and the hazard perceived time spot. The result indicated that drivers with higher SAGAT scores would spread their attention among multiple AOIs. Also, drivers’ SGE and SA have a linear relationship only at the last time window (hazard perceived to the end) wherein SGE potentially functions as an evaluative metric for assessing SA in the future.
Haptic Technology for Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review of Technical Feasibility, Usability, and User Experience
Authors: Orzech Gabrielle , Luo Yue , Huang Gaojian
Published: August 2024

Nearly 27 million Americans aged 50 and up experience hearing loss, with varying degrees and types of impairment. Haptic technology offers promising support for these individuals, either as standalone solutions, complements to existing devices, or alternatives for those not benefitting from traditional devices. This systematic review investigates the technical feasibility, usability, and user experience of haptic technology for hearing assistance. Using the PRISMA method, eight relevant articles were identified. Results indicated a focus on technical feasibility, with positive outcomes for direction of arrival, sound localization, and sensory substitution. Some studies also investigated usability and user experience, exploring user preferences, social acceptance, and integration with existing devices. The limited studies constrain the ability to draw substantial conclusions. Nevertheless, this review offers insights to guide future device development, highlighting the need for more research in usability and user experience alongside technical advancements.
A Survey on Perceptions of Smartwatch Haptic Feedback for Enhancing Automated Vehicle Takeover Decisions
Authors: Lo Wei-Hsiang , Huang Gaojian
Published: August 2024

The imperfections in the driving automation system have challenged older adults because the takeover process is cognitively and physically demanding. Due to the wrist being more vibration-sensitive, the haptic display on the smartwatch could be a good option to warn the driver. However, the preference between two vibrotactile patterns, dynamic patterns (vibrating sequences at different locations on the smartwatch) and static patterns (vibrating at certain locations on the smartwatch), is still unclear. Therefore, this study examined the effects of vibrotactile patterns between younger (mean age = 30.97) and older adults (mean age = 69.45) using a national survey. Three hundred forty respondents’ data were collected. The results showed that static patterns received higher usefulness and satisfaction scores than dynamic patterns. However, no age differences were found. These findings provide a potential guide for the next-generation takeover warning system on wrist-wearable devices in the automated system.
Analyzing Human-Automation Interdependence Based on the Situational Property and Task Timescale
Authors: Rheem Hansol , Lee Joonbum , Lee John D. , Domeyer Joshua E.
Published: August 2024

Automation’s imperfection requires driver engagement to handle challenging tasks, creating interdependent relationships where both parties influence each other. Therefore, it is vital to support driver-automation interdependence to align their behaviors with team goals. We expand the Interdependence Analysis (IA) method to evaluate interdependent relationships within driver-automation teams, considering their situational property (e.g., cost of task failure) and the timescale of team tasks. We used the proposed IA to assess the interdependence between a driver and the Tesla Model Y when its Automatic Lane Change feature is engaged. The proposed IA revealed that trajectory planning for lane-changing is performed without driver involvement despite the task’s high cost of failure. Timescale decomposition suggested that trajectory planning relies on short-term road user movement and lane predictions, identifying the specific task and timescale to be supported. This study demonstrates the benefits of considering situational property and task timescale in analyzing interdependence within driver-automation teams.
Development of a Systems Safety Program for a Large Healthcare System
Authors: Fuller Helen J. A.
Published: August 2024

We describe a new program element in our Veterans Health Administration (VHA) healthcare system. The purpose is to pursue opportunities for efforts to complement existing VHA safety work with an emphasis on understanding how things go right and supporting activities or structures that contribute to system success. The program takes a holistic systems approach to safety by promoting system lifecycle activities that explore context of use and Work-As-Done, recognizing that the way work is performed reflects realities of the work environment, demands, resources, and organizational value system. It seeks to increase human factors capabilities with a goal of empowering design teams to understand and document current state prior to proposing changes and to explore opportunities and conduct risk assessments for current state, proposed redesigned state, and post-implementation state. An outcome should be enhanced staff ability to understand and adapt to changing demands and conditions that affect how they deliver care.
Effects of Automation Reliability on Driver Vigilance
Authors: Millard Ashley S. , Greenlee Eric T.
Published: August 2024

Partially automated vehicles rely on drivers to monitor for automation errors and environmental hazards to which the automation may not respond. However, driver vigilance declines over time, leading to potential safety risks associated with detection failure. This study measured driver trust, workload, stress, and ability to detect automation errors. Automation reliability was manipulated (high vs. low). Findings revealed no significant differences in performance, workload, or trust between high and low reliability conditions. The lack of reliability differences for performance, workload, and trust suggests more severe reliability variations may be needed to produce observable effects. However, the low reliability condition experienced heightened distress and worry emphasizing the effect of reliability on emotional state. All drivers became less responsive as a function of time (i.e., conservative bias shift). Drivers also reported decreased engagement and increased distress. This underscores the need for automation improvements that enhance engagement without increasing negative emotion states.
Human-Centered and Explainable Artificial Intelligence in Nuclear Operations
Authors: Hall Anna , Murray Patrick , Boring Ronald L. , Agarwal Vivek
Published: August 2024

Nuclear power plants in the United States are critical to the nation’s energy security, accounting for 20% of all electricity produced for the power grid. As energy needs grow, 100 gigawatts of additional nuclear power will be necessary by 2050, more than double the current capacity. Realizing this target requires cutting-edge technology like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) that can bring about significant increases in the level of automation. Human-centered AI (HCAI) is a combination of human-centered design (human factors, human-in-the-loop, etc.) with AI/ML to help produce an efficient and reliable system with full consideration for human engagement. This paper provides a comprehensive and novel discussion of HCAI considerations in nuclear power, introducing unique applications for the existing fleet as well as new advanced reactor designs. We include real-life use cases of AI applications to work management processes at nuclear power sites and highlight lessons learned for HCAI.
User-Centered Design of Neuropsychological eHealth Interventions
Authors: Lefebre-Rivera Andrea S. , Martinez-Robitzsch Jasmine , Stephens Promise , Thai Phuoc , Montalvo Fernando
Published: August 2024

The development of eHealth applications for mental health interventions offers significant potential for enhancing accessibility and cost-effectiveness. This study investigates the usability and user-centered design of eHealth interventions, emphasizing the need to take neuropsychological considerations into account during the development process of an interface. We evaluated various eHealth applications using modified Nielsen’s Usability Heuristics. The findings demonstrate a lack of emphasis on the specific cognitive and perceptual needs of users with Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, or major depressive disorder. Provided recommendations aim to make eHealth applications more user tailored. Our research highlights the need for a thoughtful approach to a design that ensures effective and accessible mental eHealth apps.
Usage of an AI-Based Password Tool: Impacts of Security Fatigue, Age, and Individual Differences
Authors: Matthews Gerald , Ateniese Giuseppe , Barbará Daniel , Thayer Shawn C. , Leskovec Nicholas C.
Published: August 2024

Effective usage of AI-powered cybersecurity tools may be reduced by users’ tendencies to minimize effort, especially when they are fatigued. The current study identified multiple factors impacting user interaction with DeepPasswd, a tool utilizing deep learning to enhance password strength. Data were obtained from a demanding but monotonous simulated work task requiring regular password updating. Younger users were less likely than older ones to use the tool. Individual differences in anxiety, trust and fatigue were associated with frequency of password tweaks while using the tool, taken as index of engagement. Data on work task performance suggested users vary in their willingness to apply effort. Mitigation of tool neglect and security fatigue requires greater understanding of how users tradeoff effort against enhanced security.
Improving Predictions of Cognitive States for an Adaptive Autonomous System
Authors: Rote Nicole C. , Kintz Jacob R. , Richardson Erin E. , Hayman Allison P. , Clark Torin K.
Published: August 2024

Future crewed deep space missions will be challenged by substantial communication latency with Earth. Autonomous systems will likely augment the role of mission control, enabling a more Earth-independent crew. To improve the performance of human-autonomy teams, autonomous systems can adapt in real-time to accommodate changes to an operator’s cognitive states caused by dynamic spaceflight events. The aim of this work was to determine the most important feature categories to accurately predict an operator’s cognitive states in real-time as they work with an autonomous system. We utilized data from a human-autonomy teaming experiment in which trust, mental workload, and situation awareness were predicted as participants completed a spaceflight-relevant task. In cognitive state predictions of unseen operators, a model with no operator background information or eye-tracking data outperformed models that included these features. These simplified models enhance feasibility for an autonomous system to adapt in real-time to accommodate an operator’s cognitive states.
Applied Adaptive Virtual Reality: Systems for Robotic Teleoperation in Space and other Dangerous Domains
Authors: Melles Lydia , Phillips Elizabeth
Published: August 2024

Robots are being utilized in many different ways in today’s society. Teleoperated robots are robots that can be controlled from a distance. This is commonly done with remote controllers while observing the robot through a screen, but using virtual reality (VR) is also a possibility. VR teleoperation has many benefits, but if a robot is operating in a dangerous environment, as is one of the main applications for these types of robots, the feeling of immersion caused by VR may be problematic. If the operator feels they themselves are in danger, that may negatively impact their performance. The following paper introduces Applied Adaptive VR (AAVR) as a potential solution to this problem. AAVR is a combination of current VR technologies, such as fear modeling, that could be applied to real world teleoperation tasks. The purpose of AAVR is to have VR environments adapt during teleoperation to be less fear inducing, which is expected to improve performance. Relevant topics of interest, and methods and recommendations for developing such a system are discussed.
Navigating Cognitive Demand in Virtual Reality: Implications for Education and Training
Authors: McGowin Gregory , Sonnenfeld Nathan A. , Fiore Stephen M.
Published: August 2024

In this paper we discuss the relationship between cognitive processing demands and virtual reality. Advancements in technology and cost efficiency are driving the implementation of immersive virtual reality (I-VR) in training and education, offering an experiential method for learning complex skills and knowledge that would otherwise be too costly or dangerous. However, technological innovations have overshadowed the need to thoughtfully integrate learning theories in the development of I-VR. We discuss the concept of cognitive processing demands (CPD) to help address this gap. This is a general term that encompasses related concepts such as workload, mental effort, working memory, attention, used here to capture cognitive resource allocation in I-VR learning environments. This paper aims to deepen our understanding of CPD in I-VR by synthesizing research from varied theoretical perspectives and offering evidence-based recommendations to improve our understanding, enhance learning outcomes, and outline future directions for the research community.
Dynamic event-triggered adaptive fuzzy asymptotic tracking of constrained nonlinear systems with applications
Authors: Li Yuan-Yuan , Li Yuan-Xin
Published: August 2024

This article investigates the fuzzy event-triggered asymptotic tracking control of nonlinear systems with full state constraints. First, to approximate unknown nonlinearity, the fuzzy logic system is employed. Second, the “explosion of complexity” issue is tackled by developing an improved dynamic surface technique. Additionally, a new Barrier Lyapunov function is introduced to make sure state constraints are not violated. Particularly, an efficient dynamic event-triggered control scheme is presented by introducing an auxiliary dynamic variable, which can not only greatly save communication resources but also achieve asymptotic tracking. Ultimately, validations are illustrated through two simulation examples.
Age-related trends in urine specific gravity in apparently healthy cats
Authors: Rudinsky Adam J , Parker Valerie J , Morrison JoAnn , Spofford Nathaniel , Nikahd Melica , Topdjian Kseniya , Byron Julie M , Winston Jenessa A , Langston Cathy , Quimby Jessica M
Published: August 2024

Objectives

Urine specific gravity (USG) is the most common method for the estimation of urine concentration in cats. Utilization of USG as a screening tool is easily accessible and is of low cost to the client if strategically utilized in settings of higher diagnostic value. There is currently minimal population information regarding how USG changes across ages in cats.

Methods

Data were collected from electronic pet medical records from more than 1000 hospitals and screened for cats with an apparently healthy clinical status and complete diagnostic information. USG was compared with age in multiple analyses to examine the relationship between the variables.

Results

In the absence of other indicators of disease, renal concentrating ability begins to diminish, on average, starting at approximately 9 years of age. By age group, cats aged 11–15 years (1.044, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.043–1.044) had statistically significantly lower mean USGs compared with cats aged less than 1 year (1.049, 95% CI 1.048–1.051; P <0.001), 1–6 years (1.049, 95% CI 1.049–1.050; P <0.001) or 7–10 years (1.049, 95% CI 1.048–1.049; P <0.001). Cats aged ⩾15 years (1.038, 95% CI 1.036–1.040) had statistically significantly lower mean USGs compared with cats aged less than 1 year ( P <0.001), 1–6 years ( P <0.001), 7–10 years ( P <0.001) or 11–15 years ( P <0.001).

Conclusions and relevance

Renal concentrating ability begins to diminish, on average, starting at approximately 9 years of age and is progressive as cat age increases. This study provides important and new information to help improve screening practices for disorders of concentrating ability in cats.
Analysis of bi-directional functionally graded plate on an elastic foundation subjected to low velocity impact using the refined plate theory
Authors: Ashktorab Maryam , Ahmadi Hamed , Fellows Neil , Liaghat Gholamhossein
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the mechanical response of a bi-directional functionally graded plate consisting of three distinct materials when subjected to low-velocity impact. Utilizing the New Refined Plate Theory, the research explores the mechanical behavior of the plate resting on a Pasternak elastic foundation, providing insights useful for engineering applications. The investigation examines various parameters, including initial impact velocity, projectile radius, volume fraction indices, and elastic foundation stiffness, and their effects on critical response characteristics such as contact force, indentation, lateral deflection, and projectile velocity. The theoretical predictions are validated through detailed comparisons with existing literature and numerical simulations, ensuring the reliability and applicability of the proposed methodology. This study introduces a novel approach using refined plate theory to analyze low-velocity impact on 2D-FGMs, providing practical insights for structural analysis. The findings deepen understanding of functionally graded materials and enhance the evaluation of impact-resistant structures. The research highlights the importance of diverse parameters in improving structural performance and reliability, relevant across aerospace, civil, and mechanical engineering. Detailed exploration shows that initial impact velocities and projectile radius enhance impact force and deflection, while volume fraction indices and foundation stiffness influence the dynamic response.
Proteomics Exploration of Brucella melitensis to Design an Innovative Multi-Epitope mRNA Vaccine
Authors: Asadinezhad Maryam , Pakzad Iraj , Asadollahi Parisa , Ghafourian Sobhan , Kalani Behrooz Sadeghi
Published: August 2024

Brucellosis is a chronic and debilitating disease in humans, causing great economic losses in the livestock industry. Making an effective vaccine is one of the most important concerns for this disease. The new mRNA vaccine technology due to its accuracy and high efficiency has given promising results in various diseases. The objective of this research was to create a novel mRNA vaccine with multiple epitopes targeting Brucella melitensis. Seventeen antigenic proteins and their appropriate epitopes were selected with immunoinformatic tools and surveyed in terms of toxicity, allergenicity, and homology. Then, their presentation and identification by MHC cells and other immune cells were checked with valid tools such as molecular docking, and a multi-epitope protein was modeled, and after optimization, mRNA was analyzed in terms of structure and stability. Ultimately, the immune system’s reaction to this novel vaccine was evaluated and the results disclosed that the designed mRNA construct can be an effective and promising vaccine that requires laboratory and clinical trials.
User-generated accountability: Public participation in algorithmic governance on YouTube
Authors: Reynolds CJ , Hallinan Blake
Published: August 2024

Despite opaque automated systems and few formal channels for participation, YouTubers navigate algorithmic governance on the platform through a strategy we call user-generated accountability: the generation of publicity via content creation to reveal failures, oversights, or harmful policies. Through an analysis of 250 videos, we identify common strategies, concerns, and targets of accountability. Creators primarily upload vlogs that acknowledge the platform’s positive aspects, even as they express concern with YouTube’s policies, automated enforcement systems, poor communication practices, and discrimination against certain creators or content. In publicizing critiques of platform operations, videos enroll creators and audiences as active stakeholders in platform governance that can coordinate actions to draw the company’s attention to matters of concern. We argue that user-generated accountability practices offer a productive starting point for understanding how platform governance disputes come to be and how systems might be shaped or rebuilt to better serve the needs of competing stakeholders.
The disciplined customer: A video-based study of automated self-service hotels
Authors: Xu Xinzhi , Greiffenhagen Christian
Published: August 2024

This article studies customers entering automated self-service hotels in China and using a facial recognition kiosk for registration. Based on video recordings of 674 cases of customers checking in, we show that, as is common in self-service, customers need to do work that was previously done by hotel staff: They are working customers. We then argue that, when interacting with the facial recognition kiosk, customers are also doing something more: First, they present themselves to the machine by, for example adjusting their standing position or appearance; second, they perform for the machine by following its instructions, closing their eyes or opening their mouths; finally, they express various emotions towards the machine, such as anger or embarrassment. In sum, we show that customers are working not just with their bodies but also on their bodies, which are being disciplined by the machine. They become ‘disciplined customers’.
Feminist automation: Can bots have feminist politics?
Authors: Richterich Annika , Wyatt Sally
Published: August 2024

This article examines ‘feminist chatbots’ as tools for activism through automation. Such bots aim to engage users in automated communication on feminist concerns. The article starts from the assumption that chatbots, like all technologies, have politics and that automation, including the automated communication of chatbots, is a feminist issue. We investigate how feminist chatbots mobilise automation to address societal inequalities and bias. Conceptually, the article draws on technofeminism and intersectionality as lenses for understanding the potential of chatbots to reflect activist concerns. Three different chatbots are analysed, using a cultural (case) studies approach: F’xa, Gender Pay Gap Bot and Betânia. The analysis suggests that feminist chatbots oppose mainstream automation by engaging users in communication about its sociotechnical risks and using automation to inspire feminist (data) activism. Yet challenges remain in designing such bots, partly because of platform dependencies and the limits of automating complex intersectional issues.
The sound of disinformation: TikTok, computational propaganda, and the invasion of Ukraine
Authors: Bösch Marcus , Divon Tom
Published: August 2024

TikTok has emerged as a powerful platform for the dissemination of mis- and disinformation about the war in Ukraine. During the initial three months after the Russian invasion in February 2022, videos under the hashtag #Ukraine garnered 36.9 billion views, with individual videos scaling up to 88 million views. Beyond the traditional methods of spreading misleading information through images and text, the medium of sound has emerged as a novel, platform-specific audiovisual technique. Our analysis distinguishes various war-related sounds utilized by both Ukraine and Russia and classifies them into a mis- and disinformation typology. We use computational propaganda features—automation, scalability, and anonymity—to explore how TikTok’s auditory practices are exploited to exacerbate information disorders in the context of ongoing war events. These practices include reusing sounds for coordinated campaigns, creating audio meme templates for rapid amplification and distribution, and deleting the original sounds to conceal the orchestrators’ identities. We conclude that TikTok’s recommendation system (the “for you” page) acts as a sound space where exposure is strategically navigated through users’ intervention, enabling semi-automated “soft” propaganda to thrive by leveraging its audio features.
Corrosion susceptibility of mooring chain steel under cyclic stress
Authors: Simões Alda MP , Canut Felipe A , Mamiya Edgar N , Reis Luis
Published: August 2024

Corrosion-fatigue is a severe form of degradation that results from the joint effect of cyclic tensile stresses and of a corrosive environment and is particularly relevant in mooring chains of offshore structures. The work deals with the corrosion-fatigue of a high-strength low-carbon steel alloy used in mooring chains. While many studies are concerned with the nucleation of cracks starting from corrosion pits, the work deals rather with the opposite effect, i.e., how the cyclic stress may influence the nucleation and growth of pits. A range of applied cyclic stresses were applied both to cylindrical specimens and to trunk conical-shaped specimens, the corrosion degree being estimated by quantitative image analysis of the corroded surface, using the fraction of corroded area as an index. The cyclic tensile stress enhanced the nucleation/growth of pits on the surface. The corroded area in cylindrical specimens increases exponentially with the stress when the Smith-Watson-Topper (SWT) model is considered. The trunk conical specimen geometry reveals the effect of stress for a single exposure time, an advantage compared to the cylindrical geometry, in which the effect of exposure time cannot be isolated from that of the applied stress. The extent of surface corrosion increases with the local mean stress, except for a narrow region near the crack, likely due to local cathodic protection induced by the anode inside the crack. Correlations are proposed for the stress limits corresponding to a certain reduction in corrosion-fatigue life, and for the surface corrosion damage as a function of the local SWT parameter.
The effects of material type and temperature factors on the adhesive bonding strength of 3D printed multi-material plastic structures
Authors: Benli İrem Kurt , Anaç Nergizhan , Koçar Oğuz , da Silva Lucas FM
Published: August 2024

In this study, various test samples were produced using PLA based two filament materials with different fillers (2% calcium carbonate containing polylactic acid / PLA Plus and 15% carbon fiber-reinforced polylactic acid / PLA CF) and two different infill ratios (50% and 100%), in both single-material and multi-material forms. Adhesive joints of single-material and multi-material samples were formed under two different environmental conditions (room temperature and −25°C). The effects of temperature changes on the adhesive bonding strength were investigated. For this purpose, mechanical tests were conducted on single lap joints conditioned at room temperature (unconditioned) and at −25°C for 5 days (exposed at −25°C for 120 h). The reaction of the strength values of single-material parts to temperature varies depending on the material type and infill ratio. On the other hand, for multi-materials, regardless of the infill ratio, the strength values obtained at room temperature are 11%-36% higher than those of specimens conditioned at cold temperatures. In both infill ratios and temperature conditions, it was observed that creating adhesive joints from CF-CF surfaces of multi-materials provided the highest strength. This study examines the mechanical properties (tensile strength and hardness) of multi-materials, the adhesive bonding of multi materials, and the performance of these joints. The highest bonding strength of 4.14 MPa was found in CF-CF with 100% infill ratio at room temperature and the lowest bonding strength of 2.05 MPa was found in PP-PP with 50% infill ratio at −25°C.
China’s positive reporting trainings for ghanaian journalists: A boost to ‘balanced reportage’ in Ghana?
Authors: Dwomoh Richard
Published: August 2024

While Ghana’s 1992 Constitution is said to have established watchdog journalism as an imperative feature of Ghana’s fourth republican dispensation, the independent media’s obsession with the ‘negative news sells’ mentality is equally argued to be helping sell Ghana short. Within this context, Ghana’s former president, John Agyekum Kufuor (JAK), has emerged as a strong advocate for balanced reportage – which represents the journalistic practice involving impartial and equal attention paid to both positive and negative news – in Ghana. Against the backdrop of China’s extensive professionalization media trainings on positive reporting for Ghanaian journalists, this study examines whether such Chinese exposures should be considered as a boost to JAK’s quest for balanced reportage in Ghana. Based on the opinions of 13 respondent journalists, this study shows that the overwhelming majority of them are not practicing China’s positive reporting norm in Ghana. In fact, the Chinese trainings had a reverse effect on two of the respondents, who returned home from their trainings in China even more determined to do watchdog journalism. But since the few that are practicing the Chinese norm are doing so alongside (not as a replacement of) their extant practice of watchdog journalism, this study argues that the Chinese trainings may be preponderantly considered as a boost to JAK’s quest for balanced reportage in Ghana. These findings make original contributions to the scholarly gap on the impact-nexus of Beijing’s media trainings and journalistic practices; the notions and intersections of positive reporting, watchdog journalism, and balanced reportage; and norm localization theory.
The impact of social isolation and loneliness on the well-being of carers of a person with dementia in aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Robertson Kirsten , Thyne Maree , Thomson Rob , Watkins Leah
Published: August 2024

Dementia is a leading cause of disability, and as the population ages, there will be a greater need for friends and family to care for people with Dementia. Unfortunately, informal care for a person with dementia is associated with poor psychological and physical health and lower quality of life of the caregiver. The aim of the present study was to understand how to best support caregivers within their communities by examining their experience of loneliness, isolation, and their relationship with well-being. The study used a representative sample of the New Zealand population in terms of ethnicity, age, gender, education, and income and asked people if they were a primary caregiver of a person with Alzheimer’s Disease or related disorder. Both loneliness and isolation were linked to overall well-being; however, loneliness was a stronger predictor of satisfaction with relationships and feeling part of one’s community. The findings highlight the importance of examining the multi-factorial constructs of social connectedness and question research attributing loneliness solely to reduced social involvement. As such, interventions for caregivers of a person with dementia need to target feelings of loneliness as well as their social isolation.
My experience of person-centered and personalized care in early-stage primary progressive aphasia
Authors: Douglas Joanne T
Published: August 2024

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative brain disorder characterized by declining language ability. It is a rare, often young-onset dementia with a devastating impact on the work and personal activities of those affected. At present there is no cure or disease-modifying therapy for PPA nor any way to arrest or slow the underlying progressive brain degeneration. Throughout the course of the condition any treatment must therefore be palliative—designed to manage symptoms and improve the quality of life of the affected person. The majority of those affected receive little or no follow-up care after diagnosis, particularly in the early stage of the disease. There is very little information in the medical literature about person-centered care designed to improve the quality of life of people with PPA written from the perspective of those living with this condition. I received an early and accurate clinical diagnosis of the nonfluent/agrammatic variant of PPA, supported by imaging. I am fortunate to have benefited from exemplary individualized care from a multidisciplinary medical team from the onset of my difficulties with language. In this paper, I discuss my lived experience of all aspects of this personalized and person-centered care, describing how it was founded on shared decision-making and a holistic, dementia-inclusive approach encompassing the physical, mental, emotional, psychosocial and spiritual dimensions of living with an incurable neurodegenerative disease.
Noise and flow characteristics of variable backwards- and forward-facing steps and gaps in laminar boundary layer
Authors: Zeng Mingkai , Li Yong
Published: August 2024

The noise and flow characteristics of combined backwards-facing and forward-facing steps (BFS and FFS) are experimentally investigated in an acoustic wind tunnel using a far-field microphone array and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), respectively. The step models considered have a step height H of 10∼40 mm and a step gap L of 10∼100 mm, and the Reynolds number is ( Re H=) 2.1 × 105∼1.1 × 106. The incoming flow boundary layer is laminar, and the step height is approximately 3∼28 of the boundary layer thickness. The results show that the noise is closely related to the step type, step height H and the gap L. In the step-only configuration, the BFS noise does not vary with the step height H 1 and is much lower than the FFS noise, of which the sound pressure level depends on U 0 5.8∼ U 0 6.2 within the height range H 2. As for the combined step model (BFS&FFS), the noise spectrum changes significantly with the step heights and gaps. When H 1> H 2, the noise spectrum resembles the BFS-only due to the flow shield of the FFS from the upstream BFS. When H 1< H 2, the noise spectrum is dominated by the FFS, especially at higher H 2 or longer gap L due to more face area of the FFS exposed to the incoming flow. As H 1= H 2, the noise resembles the BFS in the low-frequency range and the FFS at high frequencies, respectively. Generally, the step-only and BFS&FFS have broadband noise characteristics, except when the ratio L/H is small, the noise spectrum has the characteristics of a typical cavity dominated by tonal peaks.
The Inverted Cryptoeconomy: The Search for Endogenous Value in No Man’s Sky
Authors: Nielsen Daniel
Published: August 2024

The Galactic Hub Project is a player response to a dehumanizing trend in video game culture. Players adopt blockchain technology to capture and retain the value of player labor, which suggests that players do not necessarily take issue with the reproducibility and aesthetics of procedurally generated content in No Man’ s Sky. This research identifies attempts to safeguard against alienation of play in virtual economies by using HubCoin as an inverted cryptoeconomy antithetical to cryptocurrency’s volatility and risk. While Hello Games managed to make resources free and infinite, players had to tokenize their time spent to create endogenous value and protect themselves from the procedurally generated environment where everything exists in abundance. Here, appropriation—or tokenization—of gameplay is less a player strategy of financialization of play and more about preserving the value of player labor. As a result, the HubCoin token is an inverted cryptocurrency with no value.
Development of a new scale for self-reported procedural patient comfort during endovascular therapy for acute stroke
Authors: Mendes George , Poppe Alexandre Y. , Bereznyakova Olena , Deschaintre Yan , Gioia Laura , Odier Celine , Stapf Christian , Jacquin Gregory
Published: August 2024

Introduction

In stroke patients with acute large vessel occlusion, endovascular therapy (EVT) may be performed with or without sedation. Our aim is to describe self-reported intraprocedural comfort in patients undergoing EVT depending on sedation type.

Methods

We performed a prospective observational single-center study of patients undergoing EVT. Patients were systematically interviewed on the day following intervention using a structured questionnaire addressing five domains (nausea/vomiting, pain of any kind, physical discomfort, emotional discomfort, and medical team interaction). Each domain scored 0 to 2 points for a maximum total of 10 points (a higher score indicating greater discomfort). In addition, satisfaction with procedural comfort was rated on a visual analog scale (VAS), and patients reported whether they would have preferred more, less, or the same amount of sedation. Patients who underwent EVT without sedation (local anesthesia, LA) were compared to those who received procedural sedation (conscious sedation, CS).

Results

Seventy-seven questionnaires were completed: 37 (48%) patients underwent EVT with CS while 40 (52%) were treated under LA. Median scores on the self-reported discomfort scale (1[0–2] vs 1[0–2], p = 0.70) and mean scores on VAS (76 ± 25 vs 81 ± 24, p = 0.37) were similar between the CS and the LA group. The proportion of patients who were satisfied with the adopted sedation strategy was similar between groups.

Conclusion

EVT without prior sedation seems to be well tolerated. Systematic self-evaluation of patient comfort appears feasible and may become integrated into routine clinical care. Patient-oriented outcomes should be included in future trials of sedation during thrombectomy.
Mechanical properties of Acropora cervicornis aragonite skeleton by using multiscale models based on micro-CT data
Authors: Altintas Gökhan , Cankal Dilan , Kilic Gokhan , Ergun Sefa
Published: August 2024

Corals, crucial for ocean ecosystems, face threats such as ocean acidification from global warming and pollution, which weaken their skeletons. This study focuses on Acropora cervicornis, known for its hard but fragile structure, requiring strength and flexibility to withstand the forces from climate-driven atmospheric events. An experiment using uniaxial mechanical loading from the initial stage to complete failure at a very low strain rate (1.2821 × 10−5 s−1) was conducted to ascertain the mechanical properties of corals. The geometric properties and Young's modulus were analysed based on various levels of micro-architectural details from micro-CT data, with resolution values influencing the measurements. The highest resolution model showed a Young's modulus approaching 22.265 GPa and porosity at 40.448%. Calibration of finite element models incorporating micro-architectural details enabled a precise comparison of parameter effects and more accurate results, highlighting the significance of resolution in modelling coral mechanical properties.
Revisiting “The Malicious Serpent”: Phylogenetically Threatening Stimulus Marked in the Human Brain
Authors: Biondi Luiz , Gomes Nuno , Maior Rafael S. , Soares Sandra C.
Published: August 2024

Twenty years ago, Öhman and Mineka's publication “The Malicious Serpent” emphasized the selective pressure ancestral reptiles would have on early mammals’ visual system, specifically the development of a set of subcortical structures that would provide snake-like images privileged access to the amygdala. This process would occur automatically and allows for quick defensive reactions. Based on criticisms directed to the snake detection research, we created five questions that guided the discussion in this review. Evidence suggests the existence of a set of subcortical structures that promote prompt detection of snakes and sustained attention, but difficulties arise due to the complex interconnectivity of cortical and subcortical structures and multiple threat responses. Gaps in the research are identified as potential for future investigation.