bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decolonising the curriculum: common sense, threshold concepts, and epistemic injustice
Authors: Stopford Richard 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIn Onthe Affective Threshold of Power and Privilege (2023), Julie Rattray reflects on the impact of decolonising the curriculum (DtC) on threshold concept (TC) theory. In this paper, I focus on student troublesomeness in the context of DtC—troublesomeness being a key dimension in TC. I argue that such difficulty requires a bespoke analysis as it involves complex entanglements of politics, existential experiences, and epistemic difficulties. The result is twofold. First, these difficulties cannot be overcome using standard epistemic and pedagogical methods precisely because they arise out of tensions between decolonial, material, and hegemonic culture and pedagogical practices. Indeed, even where conceptual material is involved, students’ difficulty with that material cannot be properly characterised in terms of “acquisition”—the dominant model in educational theory, and TC specifically. Second, I argue that hegemonic student troublesomeness is necessary, desirable, and ongoing in these contexts. Again, this puts pressure on pedagogical commitments in TC. I mobilise my analysis through my teaching of Oyèrónkẹ́ Oyěwùmí’s decolonial gender theory. I then draw upon Wittgenstein and Gramsci to elaborate the existential and political vectors of the problematics of students’ difficulty. I then draw specifically on Kristie Dotson’s work to think through these dynamics in the context of epistemic injustice. The paper concludes with practical strategies for educators to manage and embrace student troublesomeness, advocating for an approach that prioritises cultural understanding and existential reflection over traditional epistemic methods.
“Killing in the Name of 3R?” The Ethics of Death in Animal Research
Authors: Persson Kirsten , Rodriguez Perez Christian , Louis-Maerten Edwin , Müller Nico , Shaw David 
Published: December 2024

AbstractChanging relationships with nonhuman animals have led to important modifications in animal welfare legislations, including the protection of animal life. However, animal research regulations are largely based on welfarist assumptions, neglecting the idea that death can constitute a harm to animals. In this article, four different cases of killing animals in research contexts are identified and discussed against the background of philosophical, societal, and scientific-practical discourses: 1. Animals killed during experimentation, 2. Animals killed before research, 3. “Surplus” animals and 4. “Leftover” animals. The scientific community and, accordingly, animal research regulations such as the internationally acknowledged framework 3R (“Replace”, “Reduce”, “Refine”) tend to aim at the reduction of “surplus” and, to some extent, “leftover” animals, whereas the first two classes are rather neglected. However, the perspective that animal death matters morally is supported by both societal moral intuitions and certain theoretical accounts in animal ethics. Therefore, we suggest the implementation of the 3Rs in regulations, so that they: 1. Make their underlying philosophical position transparent; 2. Are based on a weighing account of animal death; 3. Are applicable to procedures on living and dead animals; 4. Apply the “reduction” principle to procedures on dead animals; 5. Entail that methods using (parts of) dead animals need to be replaced by animal free methods, if possible; 6. Do not suggest replacing research on living animals by research on killed animals; 7. Include all kinds of animals, depending on the respective harm of death; 8. Are applied to the broader context of experimentation, including breeding and the fate of the animals after the experiment.
Feasibility of pulsed field ablation for atrial fibrillation under mild conscious sedation
Authors: Calvert Peter , Mills Mark T. , Murray Ben , Kendall Jonathan , Ratnasingham Justin , Luther Vishal , Gupta Dhiraj 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a new modality for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF). PFA is performed under general anaesthetic (GA) or deep sedation with propofol, but this requires anaesthetic support in many countries, restricting use. No study has tested the feasibility of PFA under mild conscious sedation (MCS).

Methods
We prospectively recruited patients undergoing PFA PVI, offered the option of MCS delivered by electrophysiologists, and compared these with patients who opted for GA. MCS comprised intravenous midazolam and fentanyl. All procedures were performed under anaesthetic supervision in case of requirement to convert to GA, which formed the primary outcome.

Results
Twenty-three patients were recruited (8 MCS, 15 GA). One patient (1/8 [12.5%]) required conversion from MCS to GA. Total procedural times were similar between groups (MCS 92 ± 12.4 min vs. GA 101 ± 17.3 min; p = 0.199). High mean sedative doses were required in the MCS group (5.12 ± 0.83 mg midazolam and 209 ± 40 mcg fentanyl). Median intraprocedural pain perception by the patient, rated from 0 to 100 was 45 (IQR 22.5–72.5) in the MCS group. Post-procedural groin pain (0 [0–0] vs. 5 [0–35]; p = 0.027) and throat pain (0 [0–0] vs. 10 [5–40]; p = 0.001) were lower in the MCS group.

Conclusion
PFA under MCS is feasible in selected patients but pain and tolerance may be suboptimal, and high sedative doses are required.

Graphical abstract
Sparse Recovery: The Square of $$\ell _1/\ell _2$$ Norms
Authors: Jia Jianqing , Prater-Bennette Ashley , Shen Lixin , Tripp Erin E. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
This paper introduces a nonconvex approach for sparse signal recovery, proposing a novel model termed the

$$\tau _2$$

τ
2

-model, which utilizes the squared

$$\ell _1/\ell _2$$

ℓ
1

/

ℓ
2

norms for this purpose. Our model offers an advancement over the

$$\ell _0$$

ℓ
0

norm, which is often computationally intractable and less effective in practical scenarios. Grounded in the concept of effective sparsity, our approach robustly measures the number of significant coordinates in a signal, making it a powerful alternative for sparse signal estimation. The

$$\tau _2$$

τ
2

-model is particularly advantageous due to its computational efficiency and practical applicability. We detail two accompanying algorithms based on Dinkelbach’s procedure and a difference of convex functions strategy. The first algorithm views the model as a linear-constrained quadratic programming problem in noiseless scenarios and as a quadratic-constrained quadratic programming problem in noisy scenarios. The second algorithm, capable of handling both noiseless and noisy cases, is based on the alternating direction linearized proximal method of multipliers. We also explore the model’s properties, including the existence of solutions under certain conditions, and discuss the convergence properties of the algorithms. Numerical experiments with various sensing matrices validate the effectiveness of our proposed model.
Boosting Carry with Equilibrium Exchange Rate Estimates
Authors: Rubaszek Michał , Beckmann Joscha , Ca’ Zorzi Michele , Kwas Marek 
Published: December 2024

AbstractWe construct currency portfolios based on the premise that exchange rates gradually converge toward their equilibrium levels, yielding three key findings. First, this convergence can be leveraged to build profitable portfolios. Second, the slow rate of convergence over shorter horizons aligns with the sustained profitability of carry trade strategies, where investors borrow in low-yield currencies and invest in high-yield ones. Third, incorporating the predictive insights of equilibrium exchange rates can boost the performance of carry trade strategies.
Alethic modalities
Authors: Salmón Nathan 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
It is widely held that metaphysical modality is the broadest non-epistemic, alethic modality, and that a posteriori modal essentialist truths, like that gold has atomic number 79, enjoy the necessity of the broadest alethic modality. One prominent argument for these conclusions—given by Cian Dorr, John Hawthorne, and Juhani Yli-Vakkuri—rests upon an extremely dubious premise: that certain pairs of properties—e.g., being gold and being made of atoms containing 79 protons—are one and the very same property. The two properties are seen to be distinct on independent philosophical grounds. Metaphysical modality is in fact a restricted alethic modality. In particular, mathematical modality is broader than metaphysical modality. Arguably, the broadest alethic modality is logical modality, which is distinct from metaphysical modality. Even if it is metaphysically necessary that gold have atomic number 79, there is no logical/analytical inconsistency in the supposition that it does not.
Modeling industrial scale washing machine process using artificial neural networks
Authors: Dybinski Olaf , Milewski Jaroslaw , Szczesniak Arkadiusz , Szablowski Lukasz , Martsinchyk Aliaxandr , Rusowicz Artur , Grzebielec Andrzej , Romaszkiewicz-Kotkowska Roza 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe paper presents a dynamic model of a typical industrial washing machine fed with hot water, cold water and steam. Since industrial scale washing machines are not expressly designed to be energy efficient, there is scope to reduce energy consumption and wastewater discharge through dynamic model analysis of washing programs and washing machine units as regards heating medium parameters and prices. The paper presents a construction of the dynamic model using Aspen Hysys software that provides data to determine optimized parameters of water and steam delivered to the washing unit. The model has been validated with real data delivered by the dedicated measuring software from the washing machine manufacturer. Finally, the paper presents an economic analysis and sensitivity analysis regarding energy prices with various media parameters. Results show that the price of the washing process can be reduced by 64% depending on the parameters of the heating medium.
Strategizing in an Inter-organizational Setting—The Case of a German Healthcare Partnership
Authors: Schmidt Henrike , Wild Eva-Maria , Jacobs Claus Dietrich , Blankart Carl Rudolf 
Published: December 2024

AbstractSolving complex societal problems requires collaboration across organizational boundaries. Such collaboration inherently involves strategizing across these boundaries, which is linked to a high degree of complexity and ambiguity. Despite its critical relevance, there is a paucity of empirical studies on the practices of inter-organizational strategizing. To address this research gap, we conducted a longitudinal case study of a healthcare partnership in a major metropolitan city of Germany involving eleven different organizations. Operating in a socially deprived area, the healthcare partnership aimed at tackling the problem of poor health outcomes arising from a lack of alignment among providers and payers of healthcare. Drawing on a rich data set of our single case study, we analysed the different phases of a strategizing process from 2012 to 2019. We identify and propose three core practices of inter-organizational strategizing that influence strategic alignment: structuring conflicts, gaining commitment, and agreeing on objectives. Our results also suggest the presence of two distinct modes of strategizing that relate to these practices, one characterized by exclusiveness and the other by inclusiveness. Further theorizing from these findings leads us to propose that these practices and the modes of strategizing interrelate and ultimately result in either strategic alignment or strategic disorder. Our findings are particularly relevant to strategy and policy-makers who are faced with the challenge to solve wicked problems.
Fatigue and Rutting Life Design of Layered Flexible Pavements Via Advanced MultiSmart3D
Authors: Po Yin-Ming , Tsai Kun-Lin , Pan Ernian , Lin Chih-Ping , Nirwal Sonal 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis paper introduces a graphical user interface (GUI) built on the foundation of MultiSmart3D_Dynamics (or simply MultiSmart3D) code. Through this GUI, we calculate the pavement design parameters associated with fatigue cracking and rutting deformation. Besides the time-harmonic loading case, the moving loading case is further analyzed based on a simple relation between the moving velocity and frequency. Several numerical examples pertaining to static and dynamic (time-harmonic and moving) responses are studied for two typical pavement structures in Taiwan. The efficiency and accuracy of MultiSmart3D GUI are validated by comparing the present results with those from experimental loading frequency and real-world frequency. Our results reveal that the thickness of the asphalt concrete and base layers have a significant impact on fatigue and rutting lives. In addition, we have found that incorporating dynamic load into the structure may offer potential benefits in terms of cost reduction for optimizing the lifespan of the pavement.
An improved prediction of high-performance concrete compressive strength using ensemble models and neural networks
Authors: Muhammad Umar Jibrin , Aminu Ismail I. , Mahmoud Ismail A. , Aliyu U. U. , Usman A. G. , Jibril Mahmud M. , Malami Salim Idris , Abba Sani I. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractTraditional methods for proportioning of high-performance concrete (HPC) have certain shortcomings, such as high costs, usage constraints, and nonlinear relationships. Implementing a strategy to optimize the mixtures of HPC can minimize design expenses, time spent, and material wastage in the construction sector. Due to HPC's exceptional qualities, such as high strength (HS), fluidity and resilience, it has been broadly used in construction projects. In this study, we employed Generalized Regression Neural Network (GRNN), Nonlinear AutoRegressive with exogenous inputs (NARX neural network), and Random Forest (RF) models to estimate the Compressive Strength (CS) of HPC in the first scenario. In contrast, the second scenario involved the development of an ensemble model using the Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFNN) to detect inferior performance of standalone model combinations. The output variable was the 28 Days CS in MPa, while the input variables included slump (S), water-binder ratio (W/B) %, water content (W) kg/m3, fine aggregate ratio (S/a) %, silica fume (SF)%, and superplasticizer (SP) kg/m3. An RF model was developed by using R Studio; GRNN and NARX-NN models were developed by using the MATLAB 2019a toolkit; and the pre- and post-processing of data was carried out by using E-Views 12.0. The results indicate that in the first scenario, the Combination M1 of the RF model outperformed other models, with greater prediction accuracy, yielding a PCC of 0.854 and MAPE of 4.349 during the calibration phase. In the second scenario, the ensemble of RF models surpassed all other models, achieving a PCC of 0.961 and MAPE of 0.952 during the calibration phase. Overall, the proposed models demonstrate significant value in predicting the CS of HPC.
The development and challenges of Investigator-Initiated Trials (IITs) in China
Authors: Hong Minghuang , Yan Zhao 
Published: December 2024

AbstractInvestigator-Initiated Trials (IITs) have seen substantial growth in China, particularly in drug and medical device research. IITs are initiated by investigators addressing clinical needs without focus on product registration or marketing, thereby offering flexibility for advancing clinical practices. Despite their potential, IITs in China face challenges, including regulatory ambiguities, funding limitations, quality control issues, and inconsistencies in ethical review processes. This paper examines the current IIT landscape, identifies major obstacles, and proposes solutions, including regulatory reforms, funding increases, ethical review standardization, and international collaboration, to enhance IITs' effectiveness and impact on Chinese clinical research.
Fear and Impact of COVID-19 Among Post-Infected Adults: Types and Associations with Quality of Life and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms
Authors: Do Tinh X. , Quach Ha-Linh , Hoang Thi Ngoc Anh , Nguyen Thao T. P. , Le Lan T. H. , Nguyen Tan T. , Do Binh N. , Pham Khue M. , Vu Vinh H. , Pham Linh V. , Nguyen Lien T. H. , Nguyen Hoang C. , Tran Tuan V. , Nguyen Trung H. , Nguyen Anh T. , Nguyen Hoan V. , Nguyen Phuoc B. , Nguyen Hoai T. T. , Pham Thu T. M. , Le Thuy T. , Tran Cuong Q. , Nguyen Kien T. , Vo Han T. , Van Duong Tuyen 
Published: December 2024

AbstractSurvivors of COVID-19 are susceptible to diminished health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and adverse psychological health, which may be exacerbated by their experiences of fear and the impact of the pandemic itself. This study aims to identify distinct fear and impact patterns related to the COVID-19 pandemic among survivors through latent profile analysis (LPA) and examine the associations of fear and impact patterns with post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and HRQoL. A total of 5,890 Vietnamese COVID-19 survivors completed the COVID-19 Impact Battery– Disability Scale (CIB-D), the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCoV-19 S), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised for PTSS, and the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) for HRQoL. Four distinct groups of fear and impact were identified: “Fearful and highly impacted” (26.8%), “moderately impacted yet not fearful” (22.9%), “less impacted and less fearful” (18.6%), and “mildly impacted and neutral” (31.7%). Survivors who were “less impacted and less fearful” exhibited significantly higher HRQoL scores (regression coefficient, B: 10.9; 95% confidence interval (CI): 10.0 − 11.7), both in terms of physical (B: 12.0; 95%CI: 11.1 − 12.9) and mental health (B: 19.4; 95%CI: 9.6 − 11.1), and lower PTSS levels (B: -24.5; 95%CI: -25.8 − -23.3) compared to those who were “highly impacted and fearful”. It is imperative to acknowledge the intricate association between fear, impact, and mental health to comprehensively address the diverse needs of this distinct population post-COVID-19. These findings provide insights for designing interventions and support mechanisms for COVID-19 survivors.
Research on the design of prefabricated curved structure production capacity residential energy system: a case study of an entry of 2022 China International Solar Decathlon Competition- 'Solar Ark 3.0'
Authors: Zhou Chao , Zhang Hong , Chai Xini , Ye Hongyu , Hei Shanggang , Zhang Junjun , Luo Shen , Xu Haochen 
Published: December 2024

AbstractUnder the severe situation of global warming, the problem of high energy consumption and carbon emissions in the construction industry need to be addressed urgently, and the method to promote the development of the construction industry in the direction of low-carbon sustainability has become a problem to be solved. Taking ‘Solar Ark 3.0’, the entry of Southeast University United Team in the Third China International Solar Decathlon Competition (SDC2022), as an example. This study proposes the wind and solar complementary capacity design, multi-mode energy storage design, intelligent energy use design and production, storage and use of multi-energy complementary intelligent energy management methods through the exploration of the integrated design and construction of curved structure housing and energy system. These designs of ‘Solar Ark 3.0’ improve the utilization efficiency of renewable energy in buildings and also provide methods for the integrated design of curved structural housing and energy systems.
Funding a Just Transition Away from Coal in the U.S. Considering Avoided Damage from Air Pollution
Authors: Dennin Luke R. , Muller Nicholas Z. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Coal is declining in the U.S. as part of the clean energy transition, resulting in remarkable air pollution benefits for the American public and significant costs for the industry. Using the AP3 integrated assessment model, we estimate that fewer emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and primary fine particulate matter driven by coal’s decline led to $300 billion in benefits from 2014 to 2019. Conversely, we find that job losses driven by less coal plant and mining activity resulted in $7.84 billion in foregone wages over the same timeframe. While the benefits were greatly distributed (mostly throughout the East), costs were highly concentrated in coal communities. Transferring a small fraction of the benefits to workers could cover these costs while maintaining societal net benefits. Forecasting coal fleet damages from 2020 to 2035, we find that buying out or replacing these plants would result in $589 billion in air quality benefits, which considerably outweigh the costs. The return on investment increases when policy targets the most damaging capacity, and net benefits are maximized when removing just facilities where marginal benefits exceed marginal costs. Evaluating competitive reverse auction policy designs akin to Germany’s Coal Exit Act, we find that adjusting bids based on monetary damages rather than based only on carbon dioxide emissions – the German design – provides a welfare advantage. Our benefit–cost analyses clearly support policies that drive a swift and just transition away from coal, thereby clearing the air while supporting communities needing assistance.
χ2 from redundant calibration as a tool in the detection of faint radio-frequency interference
Authors: Kunicki Theodora , Pober Jonathan C. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Radio-frequency interference detection and flagging is one of the most difficult and urgent problems in 21 cm Epoch of Reionisation research. In this work, we present

$\chi^2$

from redundant calibration as a novel method for RFI detection and flagging, demonstrating it to be complementary to current state-of-the-art flagging algorithms. Beginning with a brief overview of redundant calibration and the meaning of the

$\chi^2$

metric, we demonstrate a two-step RFI flagging algorithm which uses the values of this metric to detect faint RFI. We find that roughly 27.4% of observations have RFI from digital television channel 7 detected by at least one algorithm of the three tested: 18.0% of observations are flagged by the novel

$\chi^2$

algorithm, 16.5% are flagged by SSINS, and 6.8% are flagged by AOFlagger (there is significant overlap in these percentages). Of the 27.4% of observations with detected DTV channel 7 RFI, 37.1% (10.2% of the total observations) are detected by

$\chi^2$

alone, and not by either SSINS or AOFlagger, demonstrating a significant population of as-yet undetected RFI. We find that

$\chi^2$

is able to detect RFI events which remain undetectable to SSINS and AOFlagger, especially in the domain of long-duration, weak RFI from digital television. We also discuss the shortcomings of this approach and discuss examples of RFI which seems undetectable using

$\chi^2$

while being successfully flagged by SSINS and/or AOFlagger.