bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strain imaging as a prognostic indicator for complications in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Devera Justin L. , Wee Choo P. , Sohn Jina 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe goal of this study was to determine the potential for right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) strain to predict cardiopulmonary complications of COVID-19. We identified 276 patients with COVID-19 who underwent transthoracic echocardiography within 30 days of COVID-19 diagnosis at our institution. Patients were excluded if they had a history of any primary outcomes before COVID-19 diagnosis or insufficient imaging. LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and RV GLS were obtained using 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. Primary outcomes were death, pulmonary embolism, congestive heart failure (CHF), cardiomyopathy, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and myocardial infarction (MI) occurring after COVID-19 diagnosis. In the final analysis of 163 patients, mean RV GLS and LV GLS were reduced, and 43.6% developed at least one primary outcome. There were significant differences in LV GLS distribution in terms of CHF, cardiomyopathy, and MI in bivariate analysis. However, LV GLS was not significantly associated with CHF after adjusting for LV ejection fraction and RV fractional area change, nor with MI after adjusting for troponin T. RV GLS was significantly associated with ARDS after adjusting for other variables. In the risk stratification of patients with COVID-19, strain imaging can provide incremental prognostic information, as worsened RV GLS is associated with the development of ARDS.
Evaluation of ecological and health risks of trace elements in soils of olive orchards and apportionment of their sources using the APCS-MLR receptor model
Authors: Deliboran Aişe , Varol Memet , Aytop Halil 
Published: July 2024

Abstractİzmir, Turkey’s third most populous city, is in an important position in terms of both agriculture and industry. The province, which contributes 9.3% to the country’s industrial production, also has an important potential in terms of olive cultivation. However, until now, no research has been undertaken to analyze the content of trace elements (TEs) in the soil of olive orchards in İzmir. This study was carried out to determine the pollution level and ecological risks of TEs in the olive orchards soils of İzmir province, to reveal their potential sources and to evaluate their health risks. Among the TEs, the average content of only Ni (37.9 mg/kg) exceeded the world soil average content (29 mg/kg), while the average content of only Cd (0.176 mg/kg) exceeded the upper continental crust content (0.09 mg/kg). Enrichment factor revealed that there was significant enrichment for Cd in 73.6%, Ni in 11.6% and Cr in 5.4% of olive orchards, respectively, due to polluted irrigation water and agrochemicals. Similarly, ecological risk factor indicated that there were moderate and considerable ecological risks for Cd in 48.8% and 23.3% of olive orchards, respectively. Absolute principal component scores-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) model showed that Ni and Cr in the study area are affected by agricultural sources, Al, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn originate from lithogenic sources, and Cd originates from mixed sources. Based on health risk evaluation methods, non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic effects would not be expected for residents. This study provides significant knowledge for evaluating soil TE pollution in olive orchards and serves a model for source apportionment and human health risk evaluation of TEs in other agricultural regions.
Building climate-resilient value chains in arid and semi-arid regions: a VC-ARID approach for rangeland adaptation in Kenya
Authors: Lutta Alphayo , Kehbila Anderson , Mungo Carol , Sunguti Elizabeth , Osano Philip , Kisang Obadiah 
Published: July 2024

AbstractClimate change has adversely impacted nature-based value chains in the arid and semi-arid regions. The study investigates the impact of climate change on nature-based value chains in arid and semi-arid environments. With an emphasis on rangeland adaptation in Kenya, the study used the VC-ARID (Value Chains for Arid and Semi-Arid Regions) approach, designed to build climate-resilient value chains in arid and semi-arid regions. The findings reveal that climate change poses significant risks to nature-based value chains, including reduced water availability, increased temperature variability, and changes in precipitation patterns. The study identifies several challenges to value chain development, such as limited access to climate information, financial resources, and supportive policies. It underscores the urgent need to integrate climate resilience into value chain interventions to achieve poverty reduction and food security goals in arid and semi-arid regions. This calls for active collaboration and investment in climate information services, research, and extension services to enhance the adaptive capacity of value chain actors and promote sustainable development in vulnerable regions. Given that climate hazards and changes are context-specific, strategies for improving value chains' sustainability must be customized to the unique ecological and socioeconomic setting in which the nature-based value chain operates. Consequently, to build value chains that are climate resilient, each actor along the chain must assess climate risks and manage the activities that make up the value chain adaptively.
Structural and shielding effectiveness properties of (NiFe2O4/chopped strands) composites for 6.5–18 GHz applications
Authors: Sahin Ethem İlhan , Ibrahim Jamal-Eldin F. M. , Emek Mehriban , Sinsoysal Bahaddin , Amanzholova Alina 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn this research, a mixed oxide technique was employed to create composite materials comprising NiFe2O4-chopped strands, aimed at evaluating their structural properties and microwave shielding effectiveness. The composites, produced through a hot-pressing process with varying proportions of NiFe2O4 and chopped strands, were integrated with epoxy to enhance their shielding capabilities. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of single-phase NiFe2O4, free from secondary phases. Scanning electron microscopy analysis corroborated the presence of cubic crystalline NiFe2O4, without microstructural impurities. The microwave shielding performance of the composites was assessed within the 6.5–18 GHz frequency range using a network analyzer (NA), revealing a minimum shielding effectiveness of − 36.34 dB at 16.56 GHz for a 1.3 mm thick sample. These findings demonstrate the successful fabrication of NiFe2O4-chopped strands composites with tunable microwave shielding properties, achieved by adjusting the NiFe2O4 content, allowing for tailored performance across various frequency bands.
Interplay between the heat treatment and structural and optical properties of Nb2O5 thin films
Authors: Mohamed Sara A. , El-Raheem M. M. Abd , Ahmed Mahrous R. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThin films of Nb2O5 were synthesized by RF sputtering. The effect of annealing, at different temperatures (100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, and 400 °C), on the structural and optical properties was studied. The crystallinity and structural characteristics of the Nb2O5 thin films were examined employing the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD and SEM analyses showed an amorphous nature for the as-deposited and annealed samples from 100 to 350 °C and crystalline structure for the annealed sample at 400 °C. The high values of the transmittance and low reflection make these films used as a window layer in solar cell systems. Upon increasing annealing temperature, the energy band gap Eg increased from 4.039 to 4.175 eV. Eg high values again make these films suitable to be used as a window layer in solar cell system. Urbach tail, EU, decreased with increasing annealing temperature. The refractive index showed the normal dispersion. The dispersion energies were found to have the same behavior with respect to annealing temperature, besides, the single oscillator energy Eₒ had a lower value compared to the dispersion energy Ed. The plasma frequency $${\omega }_{p}$$

ω
p

was found to increase with annealing temperature. The first and third optical moments had peak values depending on the incident photon energy.
Mass Incarceration, Maternal Vulnerability, and Birth Outcomes Across U.S. Counties
Authors: McKenna Melanie , Nowotny Kathryn M. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Objectives
To examine the associations among mass incarceration, maternal vulnerability, and disparities in birth outcomes across U.S. counties, utilizing an ecological model and reproductive justice perspective was used. This study tests whether mass incarceration is associated with infant mortality and low birthweight across U.S. counties, and whether maternal vulnerability explains the relationship between mass incarceration and birth disparities.

Methods
Data were derived from a variety of public sources and were merged using federal FIPS codes. Outcomes from the CDC Vitality Statistics include percent low birth weight births (births below 2499 g divided by singleton births to women aged 20 to 39) and infant mortality (infant deaths per 1000 live births). Black–White rate ratios were calculated for the birth outcomes to specifically examine the large Black–White disparity in birth outcomes. The analysis controlled for urbanicity, income inequality, median household income, residential segregation, and southern region, as well as a fixed effect for state level differences.

Results
Findings show that counties with higher rates of incarceration have higher prevalence of infant mortality and low birthweight, as well as greater Black–White disparity in infant mortality. Mass incarceration is associated with increases in adverse birth outcomes and maternal vulnerability partially mediates this relationship.

Conclusions
Findings provide evidence that heightened levels of incarceration affect birth outcomes for all residents at the county-level. It is imperative to address the overuse of mass incarceration in order to support adequate reproductive healthcare of vulnerable populations in the United States.
Fiscal illusion at the individual level
Authors: Numa Kaetana 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis study uses a survey experiment to test for fiscal illusion—the idea that taxpayers systematically misperceive their tax liabilities and contributions to public services. To date, the voluminous literature on fiscal illusion has not analyzed how better information on personalized total tax liabilities and contributions to public services would influence fiscal preferences. This is the first study to inform participants of their individual fiscal balance sheets comprising all major taxes regularly paid by taxpayers and their allocation to public services, thus comprehensively covering both sides of the fiscal account. This aim is achieved by embedding a novel personalized fiscal calculator in an online survey experiment administered to a representative sample of UK employees. The experiment finds evidence of fiscal illusion: providing personalized fiscal information reduces support for higher taxes and spending and increases support for lower taxes and spending. These findings indicate that taxpayers underestimate both their tax liabilities and the costs of public services.
Revisiting the “Timed Up and Go” test: a 12-s cut-off can predict Hospitalization Associated Functional Decline in older adults
Authors: Gatenio-Hefling Orly , Tzemah-Shahar Roy , Asraf Kfir , Dilian Omer , Gil Efrat , Agmon Maayan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractEarly detection of functional decline, a major risk among hospitalized older adults, can facilitate interventions that could significantly reduce it. We aimed to examine the contribution of the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in predicting Hospitalization Associated Functional Decline (HAFD) among older adults, able to independently ambulate before admission. We used a cross-sectional study design; a total of 310 older adults (age ≥ 65) hospitalized in internal medicine wards between December 2018 and August 2020 were included; exclusion criteria were inability to ambulate, a diagnosis restricting mobility, hospitalization for end-of-life care, or impaired cognition. The Modified Barthel Index was used to assess HAFD; it was administered at admission to evaluate patients’ independence in activities of daily living 2 weeks prior hospitalization, and at discharge. The TUG test was performed on admission and to predict significant functional decline (defined by a reduction of three points or more in the Modified Barthel Index), while accounting for demographics, length of hospitalization, comorbidity burden (Charlson’s comorbidity index), and cognitive function (ALFI-MMSE). Participants were divided into three groups according to their TUG score—under or over a cut-off score of 12 s, or inability to complete the test. Adjusting for age, comorbidity, cognitive ability, and duration of hospitalization, the group that performed the test in less than 12 s showed no statistically significant change in the Modified Barthel Index, therefore no significant HAFD. The other groups showed a statistically significant decline in function. Risk for significant HAFD is currently underestimated in clinical settings, limited to subjective assessment, and underused in the context of implementing early interventions to prevent HAFD. The TUG may support screening for those at risk of hospitalizing-associated functional decline and could help identify patients suitable for preventative interventions.
How do environmental factors shape entrepreneurial intention? A review and future research
Authors: Tetteh Cephas , Tasavori Misagh , Bhattarai Charan R. , Zaefarian Reza , Rajwani Tazeeb 
Published: July 2024

AbstractEntrepreneurial intention plays a critical role in the economic growth and development of countries. As a result, an increasing number of studies have examined different antecedents of entrepreneurial intention to understand how to foster entrepreneurial intention in a country. This research focuses on macro-environmental-related factors and endeavors to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the critical factors in these areas that can impact entrepreneurial intention. A total of 40 studies from high-ranked journals were systematically identified and analyzed in the field of entrepreneurship and management. This review sheds light on details of the key cultural, regional, and economic factors as well as governmental and political factors and highlights how they impact entrepreneurial intention. It also provides some suggestions for future research directions. While some systematic literature review papers have been conducted on entrepreneurial intention and its antecedents, environmental factors have only been identified broadly as key antecedents. This research systematically reviews the existing papers and unravels different aspects of these factors and explains how they impact entrepreneurial intention. In addition, it sheds light on related future research directions.
Childhood interstitial lung diseases: current understanding of the classification and imaging findings
Authors: Tsujioka Yuko , Nishimura Gen , Nishi Eugene , Kono Tatsuo , Nozaki Taiki , Hashimoto Masahiro , Yamada Yoshitake , Jinzaki Masahiro 
Published: July 2024

AbstractChildhood interstitial lung diseases (chILDs) encompass a diverse group of disorders with a high mortality rate and severe respiratory morbidities. Recent investigations have revealed that the classification of adult ILDs is not valid for chILDs, particularly for ILDs of early onset. Therefore, Children’s Interstitial Lung Disease Research Cooperative of North America proposed a new classification of chILDs for affected children under 2 years of age, and later another classification for affected individuals between 2 and 18 years of age. In this review, we provide an overview of the imaging findings of chILDs by classification. Most infantile ILDs have unique clinical, radiological, and molecular findings, while the manifestation of pediatric ILDs overlaps with that of adult ILDs.
Ready, Steady, No? The Contested Legitimacy of Weapon Deliveries to Ukraine in German Foreign Policy Discourse
Authors: Heck Axel 
Published: July 2024

AbstractHow were arms deliveries to Ukraine (de)legitimized in the German Bundestag? This paper is based on a discourse analysis of parliamentary debates held between December 2021 and January 2023 on the question of military support for Ukraine. It shows how the legitimization of arms deliveries and various identity narratives of German foreign policy are mutually constitutive but also reconfigured. Members of Alliance 90/The Greens, the Free Democratic Party, and the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union legitimized arms deliveries by referring to Germany’s identity as a European “shaping power” from which a “responsibility” to provide military support was derived. Ukraine had become part of the Western European community; therefore, arms deliveries were necessary to defend the European “we” against the Russian aggression. Criticism of arms deliveries was voiced by The Left, who emphasized Germany’s pacifist identity, which had been established as a lesson from National Socialism and should not be abandoned. The Alternative for Germany party also rejected any military support, pointing to the negative consequences for economic relations with Russia and openly questioning the legitimacy of Ukrainian statehood, as Putin derives geopolitical claims over Ukraine that “must be respected.” The most radical change was observed within the Social Democratic Party parliamentary group. Just a few weeks after his appearance in the Bundestag, Scholz and his parliamentary group mobilized a vocabulary that was less associated with “Zeitenwende” and more with Germany’s traditional identity as a “civilian power” in order to legitimize a “balanced” approach so that “Russia does not win” but Germany is not dragged into the war either.
Decentralising the Self – Ethical Considerations in Utilizing Decentralised Web Technology for Direct Brain Interfaces
Authors: Lyreskog David M , Zohny Hazem , Mann Sebastian Porsdam , Singh Ilina , Savulescu Julian 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe rapidly advancing field of brain-computer (BCI) and brain-to-brain interfaces (BBI) is stimulating interest across various sectors including medicine, entertainment, research, and military. The developers of large-scale brain-computer networks, sometimes dubbed ‘Mindplexes’ or ‘Cloudminds’, aim to enhance cognitive functions by distributing them across expansive networks. A key technical challenge is the efficient transmission and storage of information. One proposed solution is employing blockchain technology over Web 3.0 to create decentralised cognitive entities. This paper explores the potential of a decentralised web for coordinating large brain-computer constellations, and its associated benefits, focusing in particular on the conceptual and ethical challenges this innovation may pose pertaining to (1) Identity, (2) Sovereignty (encompassing Autonomy, Authenticity, and Ownership), (3) Responsibility and Accountability, and (4) Privacy, Safety, and Security. We suggest that while a decentralised web can address some concerns and mitigate certain risks, underlying ethical issues persist. Fundamental questions about entity definition within these networks, the distinctions between individuals and collectives, and responsibility distribution within and between networks, demand further exploration.
What is good? Exploring the applicability of a one item measure as a proxy for measuring acceptance in driver-vehicle interaction studies
Authors: Buchner Claudia , Kraus Johannes , Miller Linda , Baumann Martin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractNew driver assistance systems play an important role to rise safety and comfort in todays´ traffic. Those systems should be developed with the needs of the user in mind and tested for the users´ requirements. In this, user acceptance is a central variable of interest – both in scientific and in practical applications of user-centered research on driver assistance systems. In some cases, applied research settings need simplified measurements in order to be efficiently applicable in the driving situations. In the present paper, we explored the applicability and validity of a single-item acceptance measurement (SIAM) for practical study settings covering the attitude towards using new driver assistance systems. To provide a theoretical framing, we tested the one-item measure against the widely used Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the van der Laan acceptance scale (VDL) in a driving simulator study. Participants experienced four different complex driving scenarios using a driver assistance system. Acceptance was measured repeatedly throughout the drive. The results supported construct validity for the SIAM, correlating with the VDL. The SIAM further predicted the intention to use the system. Being carefully aware of the psychometric drawbacks of short scales and acknowledging the importance of multi-item scales, the SIAM is promising for efficiently approaching the acceptance of driver assistance systems in applied settings.
Polarization and wavelength routers based on diffractive neural network
Authors: Lin Xiaohong , Fu Yulan , Zhang Kuo , Zhang Xinping , Feng Shuai , Hu Xiaoyong 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn the field of information processing, all-optical routers are significant for achieving high-speed, high-capacity signal processing and transmission. In this study, we developed three types of structurally simple and flexible routers using the deep diffractive neural network (D2NN), capable of routing incident light based on wavelength and polarization. First, we implemented a polarization router for routing two orthogonally polarized light beams. The second type is the wavelength router that can route light with wavelengths of 1550, 1300, and 1100 nm, demonstrating outstanding performance with insertion loss as low as 0.013 dB and an extinction ratio of up to 18.96 dB, while also maintaining excellent polarization preservation. The final router is the polarization-wavelength composite router, capable of routing six types of input light formed by pairwise combinations of three wavelengths (1550, 1300, and 1100 nm) and two orthogonal linearly polarized lights, thereby enhancing the information processing capability of the device. These devices feature compact structures, maintaining high contrast while exhibiting low loss and passive characteristics, making them suitable for integration into future optical components. This study introduces new avenues and methodologies to enhance performance and broaden the applications of future optical information processing systems.
Graphical Abstract