bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of Si3N4 ceramic balls by SPS method with SiC powder bed
Authors: Liang Zhen‐Quan , Liang Jia‐Ji , Yu Jun‐Jie , Cai Pei‐Bin , Guo Wei‐Ming , Lin Hua‐Tay 
Published: August 2024

AbstractSpark plasma sintering (SPS) is an ultrafast sintering method for the preparation of ceramics and ceramic composites with simple geometrical shapes, with the combined application of uniaxial pressure. This study aims to propose an SPS densification method for Si3N4 ceramic balls without necessitating alterations to tools and equipment. The Si3N4 ceramic balls intended for sintering are positioned within a SiC powder bed inside the conventional die used in SPS. The study systematically investigates the effects of presintering temperature (1400°C, 1500°C, and 1600°C) and SPS temperature (1600°C, 1700°C, and 1800°C) on the sphericity, relative density, phase composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties of Si3N4 ceramic balls. Experimental findings reveal that Si3N4 ceramic balls exhibiting an optimal combination of sphericity (0.94 ± 0.02), relative density (98.4%), and mechanical properties (Vickers hardness: 17.5 ± 0.4 GPa, fracture toughness: 6.4 ± 0.1 MPa·m1/2) were successfully achieved at a pre‐sintering temperature and SPS temperature of 1600°C, coupled with the use of a SiC powder bed and SPS method. Consequently, the SPS method demonstrates its capability to fabricate Si3N4 ceramic balls with excellent performance.
Triadic oral peer feedback: Does EFL learners’ L2 proficiency pairing play a role?
Authors: Zhao Na , Tian Lili , Carhill‐Poza Avary 
Published: August 2024

AbstractWhile peer feedback has been a staple in second and foreign language (FL) writing for decades, most research explicitly examines the role of second language (L2) proficiency in written feedback among reviewer–writer pairs. The impact of L2 proficiency pairing in oral peer feedback remains under‐researched as does research on peer review among writer–reviewer triads, a commonly practiced peer review activity in FL classrooms. In the present study, 62 undergraduates participated in an oral peer feedback group discussion in an English as an FL writing context, providing and receiving oral peer feedback on two drafts of an argumentative essay topic. A rotary triadic role design was adopted to allow each group member to experience the role of both writer and reviewer, receiving two reviewers’ oral feedback as a writer and giving feedback for two writers as a reviewer in the same group. Self‐initiated L2 proficiency pairing was then examined from a reviewer–writer perspective in relation to the quantity and quality of oral feedback given and incorporated. Results showed significant differences in feedback quantity and uptake between different reviewer–writer pairings. Writers of high proficiency levels would receive and incorporate significantly more oral feedback when paired with reviewers of the same proficiency levels, compared to when paired with reviewers of different proficiency levels. Low‐level reviewers offered significantly more total oral feedback for low‐level writers than high‐level writers. Pedagogical implications could then be drawn as to how to pair learners of different L2 proficiency levels in oral peer feedback activity.
How strong is the democratic defence of ‘defence spending?’ Consequence of military expenditure for democracy in OECD countries
Authors: Zafirovski Milan 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe article identifies and seeks to abridge a gap in the literature consisting of the problem of relations between military expenditure and democracy, especially the consequences of the first for the second. It specifically investigates the consequences that military expenditure produces for democracy among contemporary Western and comparable societies such as OECD countries during 2006–2017. It first surveys the relevant pertinent literature about the relationship of military expenditure and militaristic processes with democracy and political, civil and individual liberties. Then it proposes a theoretical sociological framework for approaching the problem of military expenditure and democracy, focusing on the consequences of the first for the second variable. It develops this framework by formulating testable hypotheses regarding the nature of consequences that military expenditure has for democracy. Next, it specifies data and their sources, the method and variables that the study uses. It reports empirical findings such as descriptive and proximately causal (regression) results. It infers that these findings for the most part support the theory and hypotheses that large and increasing military expenditure has adverse consequence for liberal democracy in general, and in OECD countries in particular.
Comprehending the disruptive influence of workplace gaslighting behaviours and mobbing on nurses' career entrenchment: A multi‐centre inquiry
Authors: Atta Mohamed Hussein Ramadan , Waheed Elzohairy Nadia , Abd Elaleem Alaa El Din Moustafa Hamed , Othman Ahmed Abdellah , Hamzaa Huda Gaber , El‐Sayed Ahmed Abdelwahab Ibrahim , Zoromba Mohamed Ali 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAimTo explore the disruptive influence of workplace gaslighting behaviours and mobbing on nurses' career entrenchment across multiple healthcare centres.DesignA multi‐centre cross‐sectional.MethodsData were collected from 483 nurses from various healthcare settings in Egypt, spanning from January 2024 to February 2024. The Gaslighting at Work Questionnaire, Luxembourg Workplace Mobbing Scale and Career Entrenchment Scale were employed for data collection.ResultsThe study revealed moderate levels of gaslighting, mobbing and nurses' career entrenchment. Also, there is a negative correlation between nurses' career entrenchment and both gaslighting and mobbing, while gaslighting and mobbing exhibit a positive correlation. The study also highlighted regional disparities in the prevalence of these phenomena, with the highest incidences noted in urban healthcare settings.ConclusionThe findings underscore the critical impact of workplace gaslighting and mobbing on nurses' career entrenchment.Reporting MethodThe relevant reporting method has been adhered to, that is, STROBE.Implication for the ProfessionThe future of the nursing profession requires building productive nurses who can cope with negative workplace experiences. This could be achieved by cultivating a workplace culture that has zero tolerance for these experiences. Offering counselling services or employee assistance programmes to help nurses cope with the emotional toll of these negative experiences is a promising strategy.ImpactThis study is the first to examine serious workplace practices like gaslighting and mobbing in a nursing context, emphasizing their effect on nursing‐sensitive indicators like career entrenchment. It is one of the important initiatives geared towards upgrading the competitiveness and magnetism of healthcare organizations in the era of green human resources management. Results provide valuable insights for nurse leaders to control nursing turnover and shortage crises in different endeavours.Patient or Public ContributionIn our study, nurses from diverse geographical regions and varied specialties actively participate, offering a rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives.
Lesion characteristics using high‐frequency low‐tidal volume ventilation versus standard ventilation during ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Qian Xiaoxiao , Zei Paul C. , Osorio Jose , Hincapie Daniela , Gabr Mohamed , Peralta Adelqui , Miranda‐Arboleda Andres F. , Koplan Bruce A. , Hoyos Carolina , Matos Carlos D. , Lopez‐Cabanillas Nestor , Steiger Nathaniel A. , Velasco Alejandro , Alviz Isabella , Kapur Sunil , Tadros Thomas M. , Tedrow Usha B. , Sauer William H. , Romero Jorge E. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIntroductionHigh‐frequency low‐tidal‐volume (HFLTV) ventilation during radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) has been shown to be superior to standard ventilation (SV) in terms of procedural efficiency, acute and long‐term clinical outcomes. Our study aimed to compare ablation lesions characteristics utilizing HFLTV ventilation versus SV during RFCA of PAF.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for PAF between August 2022 and March 2023, using high‐power short‐duration ablation. Thirty‐five patients underwent RFCA with HFLTV ventilation and were matched with another cohort of 35 patients who underwent RFCA with SV. Parameters including ablation duration, contact force (CF), impedance drop, and ablation index were extracted from the CARTONET database for each ablation lesion.ResultsA total of 70 patients were included (HFLTV = 35/2484 lesions, SV = 35/2830 lesions) in the analysis. There were no differences in baseline characteristics between the groups. While targeting the same ablation index, the HFLTV ventilation group demonstrated shorter average ablation duration per lesion (12.3 ± 5.0 vs. 15.4 ± 8.4 s, p < .001), higher average CF (17.0 ± 8.5 vs. 10.5 ± 4.6 g, p < .001), and greater impedance reduction (9.5 ± 4.6 vs. 7.7 ± 4.1 ohms, p < .001). HFLTV ventilation group also demonstrated shorter total procedural time (61.3 ± 25.5 vs. 90.8 ± 22.8 min, p < .001), ablation time (40.5 ± 18.6 vs. 65.8 ± 22.5 min, p < .001), and RF time (15.3 ± 4.8 vs. 22.9 ± 9.7 min, p < .001).ConclusionHFLTV ventilation during PVI for PAF was associated with improved ablation lesion parameters and procedural efficiency compared to SV.
SunCloud: A mobile application for children with urinary incontinence
Authors: Acikgoz Ayfer , Cakirli Merve , Tokar Baran , Celik Ozer 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackground and AimUrinary incontinence is an important problem with potentially adverse effects on the psychological, social and personality development of children. Today, with the developing technology, the use of information and communication technologies such as wearable technology, message services and mobile applications has become widespread in solving health problems. In this study, it was aimed to develop a mobile application that facilitates the follow‐up of children, increases their compliance with treatment and ensures the continuity of communication between them and the health worker. The methodology, design and preliminary evaluation results of the mobile application are presented in this article.MethodsDuring the development process of the mobile application, the content was first created in line with the literature review. After the content was determined, the interface design was made on MS Word and Photoshop software. At this stage, six experts were consulted for content and design. The mobile application, finalised in design, was implemented on Android and IOS platforms. After the mobile application was created, 10 children and their families were interviewed.ResultsNine of the families (90%) found the developed mobile application useful and easy to use. Families' suggestions to improve the mobile application were to make it more interesting for children and to enrich its content.ConclusionIn line with the feedback, the mobile application was updated and finalised. Preliminary results are promising that the developed mobile application can be used as an aid to treatment in children with urinary incontinence. With the mobile application developed, urotherapy training was not limited to the time they visited the hospital. This suggests that the mobile application can eliminate the problem of partial or omitted treatment. This research has shown that leveraging technology can be a good option to increase treatment success.Clinical Trial NumberNCT05815940
Reproductive morphophysiology of an iteroparous batch spawner fish: from early follicle development to ovulation
Authors: Domínguez‐Castanedo Omar , Hernandez‐Coronado Cyndi G. , Martínez‐Espinosa David A. , Rosales‐Torres Ana María 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBatch spawner fishes develop successive clutches of oocytes which allows them to participate in many reproductive cycles during their adult life (iteroparous) and spawn in multiple events within each breeding cycle. Here, ovarian follicular development was morpho‐functionally analyzed in females of the iteroparous batch spawner fish Gymnocorymbus ternetzi. To obtain better insights into the reproductive morpho‐physiology in batch spawners, the objective of this research was to analyze the dynamics of the follicular development, with its hormonal regulation between two active reproduction events. We found that over 16 days, follicles progressed asynchronously to chromatin nucleolus, Primary and Secondary growth stages of oogenesis with progressive secretion of 17β‐estradiol (E2). During the end of secondary growth, the increase in 17α,20β‐dihydroxy‐4‐pregnen‐3‐one (17,20β‐p) was measured relative to the maturation process of the ovarian follicles (e.g., nuclear migration and its rupture during the resumption of meiosis). Interestingly, an additional increase in E2 was observed after fish reproduction, probably related to the recruitment of new batch follicles for secondary growth. We also measured the high values of multiple condition factor post‐reproduction measurements, reflecting more energy invested during the pre‐reproductive process. We also quantified high concentrations of 17,20β‐p, probably related to the recruitment of a new batch of oogonia to meiosis, presumably secreted by post‐ovulatory follicles, after fish reproduction. We finally found that fish without exposure to reproductive stimulus developed a regression phase at day 24, characterized by massive follicle atresia, that allow them to recycle energy and constitutive materials of the follicles invested during oogenesis for another reproductive cycle.
Natural variations in MdNAC18 exert major genetic effect on apple fruit harvest date by regulating ethylene biosynthesis genes
Authors: Wen Guo , Wu Bei , Wang Yi , Wu Ting , Han Zhenhai , Zhang Xinzhong 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTDissecting the genetic control of apple fruit harvest date (AFHD) into multiple Mendelian factors poses a significant challenge in modern genetics. Here, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for AFHD was fine‐mapped to the NAC transcription factor (TF) MdNAC18 within the interval defined by the overlap of QTLs Z03.5/Z03.6 and F03.2/F03.3. One direct target of MdNAC18 is the ethylene biosynthesis gene MdACO1. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) SNP517 and SNP958 in the MdNAC18 coding sequence modulated activation of MdACO1 by MdNAC18. SNP1229 in the MdACO1 promoter destroyed the MdNAC18 binding site and thus abolished MdNAC18 binding. SNP517 and SNP958 also affected MdNAC18 activation of the TF gene MdARF5; MdARF5 activates the ethylene biosynthesis gene MdACS1. SNP517 and SNP958 in MdNAC18, SNP1229 and SNP769 (linked to InDel62) in MdACO1, and InDel162 in MdACS1 constituted a genetic variation network. The genetic effect of this network on AFHD was estimated as 60.3 d, accounting for 52.6% of the phenotype variation of the training population. The joint effects of these polymorphisms increased the accuracy of a genomics‐assisted prediction (GAP) model for AFHD (r = 0.7125). Together, our results suggest that genetic variation in MdNAC18 affects AFHD by modulating ethylene biosynthesis and provide an optimized GAP model for apple breeding.
Mastication and oral myofunctional status in excess weight children and adolescents: A cross‐sectional observational study
Authors: Calcaterra Valeria , Pizzorni Nicole , Giovanazzi Sofia , Nannini Marta , Scarponi Letizia , Zanelli Sara , Zuccotti Gianvincenzo , Schindler Antonio 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundMasticatory function seems to play a role in the aetiology of obesity. However, literature on the association between oral myofunctional status and overweight and obesity in children and adolescents is scarce and contrasting.ObjectiveTo compare masticatory performance, orofacial myofunctional status and tongue strength and endurance between children and adolescents with overweight and obesity and those with normal weight.MethodsThirty children and adolescents with overweight and obesity and 30 subjects with normal weight matched for age and sex were recruited. All subjects were evaluated with the Test of Masticating and Swallowing Solids in Children (TOMASS‐C) for masticatory performance and with the Italian Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores (I‐OMES) for the orofacial myofunctional status. Anterior and posterior maximum tongue pressures and tongue endurance were measured. Parents‐reported (PRO) duration of meals was recorded. Data were compared between the groups through the paired samples t‐test or the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test.ResultsChildren and adolescents with overweight showed significantly lower number of bites (p = .033), lower I‐OMES scores (p < .05), and shorter meal duration (p = .005) compared to their peers with normal weight. No significant differences were found between the two groups for the number of swallows, the number of masticatory cycles and the total time of the TOMASS‐C, and none of the tongue pressure measurements.ConclusionsEating in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity is characterised by a larger bolus sizes and shorter PRO meal duration. Additionally, overweight and obesity seem to be associated with poorer orofacial skills and structures in the paediatric population.
Automated remote sleep monitoring needs uncertainty quantification
Authors: Heremans Elisabeth R. M. , Van den Bulcke Laura , Seedat Nabeel , Devulder Astrid , Borzée Pascal , Buyse Bertien , Testelmans Dries , Van Den Bossche Maarten , van der Schaar Mihaela , De Vos Maarten 
Published: August 2024

SummaryWearable electroencephalography devices emerge as a cost‐effective and ergonomic alternative to gold‐standard polysomnography, paving the way for better health monitoring and sleep disorder screening. Machine learning allows to automate sleep stage classification, but trust and reliability issues have hampered its adoption in clinical applications. Estimating uncertainty is a crucial factor in enhancing reliability by identifying regions of heightened and diminished confidence. In this study, we used an uncertainty‐centred machine learning pipeline, U‐PASS, to automate sleep staging in a challenging real‐world dataset of single‐channel electroencephalography and accelerometry collected with a wearable device from an elderly population. We were able to effectively limit the uncertainty of our machine learning model and to reliably inform clinical experts of which predictions were uncertain to improve the machine learning model's reliability. This increased the five‐stage sleep‐scoring accuracy of a state‐of‐the‐art machine learning model from 63.9% to 71.2% on our dataset. Remarkably, the machine learning approach outperformed the human expert in interpreting these wearable data. Manual review by sleep specialists, without specific training for sleep staging on wearable electroencephalography, proved ineffective. The clinical utility of this automated remote monitoring system was also demonstrated, establishing a strong correlation between the predicted sleep parameters and the reference polysomnography parameters, and reproducing known correlations with the apnea–hypopnea index. In essence, this work presents a promising avenue to revolutionize remote patient care through the power of machine learning by the use of an automated data‐processing pipeline enhanced with uncertainty estimation.
Economic contribution of U.S. aquaculture farms
Authors: Kumar Ganesh , Hegde Shraddha , van Senten Jonathan , Engle Carole , Boldt Noah , Parker Matthew , Quagrainie Kwamena , Posadas Benedict , Asche Frank , Dey Madan , Aarattuthodi Suja , Roy Luke A. , Grice Russell , Fong Quentin , Schwarz Michael 
Published: August 2024

AbstractEconomics is the study of the allocation of scarce resources to meet human wants and needs and has a critical role to play in addressing challenges related to environmental sustainability, community resilience, and food security. In the context of aquaculture, the key to such a discussion is understanding the linkages of aquaculture farming businesses with other economic sectors and how policy decisions that affect aquaculture result in economic ripples throughout local, regional, and national economies. The only previous national estimates of the economic contributions of U.S. aquaculture are nearly 30 years old. The current study was based on comprehensive data from detailed farm‐level surveys (that captured 77% of the total value of U.S. aquaculture) supplemented by information from publications on the remaining aquaculture sectors. The economic contributions measured in this study were limited to those at the farm level and do not include subsequent impacts that occur as farmed products move through processing, distribution, food service, and retail sectors in the U.S. economy. Results showed that U.S. aquaculture farms contributed $4 billion annually and supported more than 22,000 jobs each year. Labor income and value‐added contributions were $1 billion and $3 billion, respectively. Analysis of the linkages of U.S. aquaculture production activities with other economic sectors showed that nearly all (96%) economic sectors were supported to some degree by U.S. aquaculture farms. Foodfish farms generated the greatest contributions, followed by mollusk farms. Freshwater aquaculture farms contributed twice that of the contributions of marine aquaculture because of the greater size of the freshwater aquaculture sector. Growth of both freshwater and marine sectors would increase overall contributions to the economy. Constraints to growth of aquaculture include regulatory barriers that have restricted existing sectors from meeting current demand for their products. The lack of an adequate regulatory framework for offshore marine aquaculture has constrained its growth and development, especially with respect to the rest of the world. Streamlined regulations implemented in a more timely and efficient manner could result in substantially greater economic contributions from existing U.S. aquaculture farms. The total economic impact of U.S. aquaculture production is likely three to four times greater than the farm‐level impacts estimated in this study as a result of impacts that occur as aquaculture products move downstream through various marketing channels. Additional research is needed to measure the impacts of U.S. aquaculture products in the processing, distribution, food service, supermarket, and restaurant levels of the marketing chain to fully capture the total economic contributions from U.S. aquaculture.