bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficient Nested Simulation Experiment Design via the Likelihood Ratio Method
Authors: Feng Ben Mingbin , Song Eunhye 
Published: June 2024

In the nested simulation literature, a common assumption is that the experimenter can choose the number of outer scenarios to sample. This paper considers the case when the experimenter is given a fixed set of outer scenarios from an external entity. We propose a nested simulation experiment design that pools inner replications from one scenario to estimate another scenario’s conditional mean via the likelihood ratio method. Given the outer scenarios, we decide how many inner replications to run at each outer scenario as well as how to pool the inner replications by solving a bilevel optimization problem that minimizes the total simulation effort. We provide asymptotic analyses on the convergence rates of the performance measure estimators computed from the optimized experiment design. Under some assumptions, the optimized design achieves [Formula: see text] mean squared error of the estimators given simulation budget [Formula: see text]. Numerical experiments demonstrate that our design outperforms a state-of-the-art design that pools replications via regression. History: Accepted by Bruno Tuffin, Area Editor for Simulation. Funding: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation [Grant CMMI-2045400] and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada [Grant RGPIN-2018-03755]. Supplemental Material: The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplemental Information ( https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/suppl/10.1287/ijoc.2022.0392 ) as well as from the IJOC GitHub software repository ( https://github.com/INFORMSJoC/2022.0392 ). The complete IJOC Software and Data Repository is available at https://informsjoc.github.io/ .
Planning Service Protocols for Extra-Long Trains with Transfers
Authors: Osorio Jesus , Shen Shiyu , Ouyang Yanfeng 
Published: June 2024

This paper presents a modeling framework for optimizing operational protocols of extra-long trains (XLTs) in metro systems (i.e., trains longer than station platforms). With the rising travel demand in megacities, metro systems face challenges such as overcrowded stations, delays, and passenger anxieties. XLTs have been proposed as a promising solution to increase metro line capacity without additional infrastructure construction. The study explores the trade-offs between the additional capacity gained through complex protocols, the potential benefits of protocols with inline transfers, and the importance of effective passenger information systems from both passengers’ and operators’ perspectives. Mathematical programs are proposed to optimize protocols for a given demand distribution and to estimate the maximum line capacity of an XLT system. The benefits of implementing XLTs are evaluated in hypothetical and real-world cases with varying demand distributions and network sizes. The results demonstrate significant capacity increases ranging from 24% to 126% as compared with regular train operations, depending on system parameters and demand distribution. These findings demonstrate promise for using such systems to improve metro line capacity in the real world. History: This paper has been accepted for the Transportation Science Special Issue on ISTTT 25 Conference. Funding: The work was supported in part by the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign [Grant Grainger STII Seed Fund] and the Zhejiang University-University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Institute [Grant DREMES-202001]. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2024.0527 .
‘Giving birth on a beach’: Women’s experiences of using virtual reality in labour
Authors: Massov Lorna , Robinson Brian , Rodriguez-Ramirez Edgar , Maude Robyn 
Published: June 2024

Introduction
Birth is a normal physiological process, and many women want a natural birth. Women use a range of non-pharmacological pain relief methods to reduce labour pain intensity, to help manage labour pain and to induce relaxation. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of women using Virtual Reality as a non-pharmacological method of pain relief in labour. Virtual Reality has been shown to be an effective distraction technique in other acute pain settings which also reduces anxiety.

Methods
This study conducted qualitative in-depth interviews postnatally with women who used Virtual Reality in labour. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data.

Results
Nineteen women used Virtual Reality in labour. Results from interviews with nineteen women in the postnatal period identified three main themes: impact of virtual reality on experience of labour, managing the pain of labour and challenges of using virtual reality in labour.

Conclusion
This study identified that Virtual Reality was effective as a relaxation technique and helped in pain management by the use of self-efficacy techniques. Women in this study also identified preferred virtual environments specifically to use during labour and birth. This study provides a unique and original contribution to the field of Virtual Reality in labour and birth. It also identifies Virtual Reality as an acceptable and positive experience in the management of anxiety and labour pain.
Informed consent to midwifery practices and interventions during the second stage of labor—An observational study within the Oneplus trial
Authors: Häggsgård Cecilia , Rubertsson Christine , Teleman Pia , Edqvist Malin 
Published: June 2024

Objectives
To study informed consent to midwifery practices and interventions during the second stage of labor and to investigate the association between informed consent and experiences of these practices and interventions and women’s experiences of the second stage of labor.

Methods
This study uses an observational design with data from a follow-up questionnaire sent to women one month after giving birth spontaneously in the Oneplus trial, a study aimed at evaluating collegial midwifery assistance to reduce severe perineal trauma. The trial was conducted between 2018–2020 at five Swedish maternity wards and trial registered at clinicaltrials.gov, no NCT03770962. The follow-up questionnaire contained questions about experiences of the second stage of labor, practices and interventions used and whether the women had provided informed consent. Evaluated practices and interventions were the use of warm compresses held at the perineum, manual perineal protection, vaginal examinations, perineal massage, levator pressure, intermittent catheterization of the bladder, fundal pressure, and episiotomy. Associations between informed consent and women’s experiences were assessed by univariate and multivariable logistic regression.

Findings
Of the 3049 women participating in the trial, 2849 consented to receive the questionnaire. Informed consent was reported by less than one in five women and was associated with feelings of being safe, strong, and in control. Informed consent was further associated with more positive experiences of clinical practices and interventions, and with less discomfort and pain from interventions involving physical penetration of the genital area.

Conclusion
The findings indicate that informed consent during the second stage is associated with feelings of safety and of being in control. With less than one in five women reporting informed consent to all practices and interventions performed by midwives, the results emphasize the need for further action to enhance midwives’ knowledge and motivation in obtaining informed consent prior to performance of interventions.
Sexual health beliefs and prevention of sexually transmitted infections among cisgender women sex workers in Colombia
Authors: Perdomo Sandoval Luis Albeiro , Goberna-Tricas Josefina 
Published: June 2024

Introduction
The stigma and social discrimination against cisgender women sex workers lead many of them to live in conditions characterized by social inequality, marginalization, persecution, and limited opportunities for sexual health literacy. Consequently, they are often compelled to establish a framework of preventive beliefs with little scientific validity, which they use to identify, mitigate, or avoid sexual health risks arising from their interactions with clients. This study investigates the sexual health beliefs that influence self-care practices aimed at preventing sexually transmitted infections among cisgender women sex workers in Colombia.

Methods
We conducted a qualitative study framed in Hermeneutic Phenomenology. In-depth interviews and discussion groups were conducted with 34 cisgender women sex workers over 18 years of age in the center of the cities of Bogotá and Barranquilla in Colombia.

Results
Seven themes emerged from the reflective and inductive thematic analysis of the narratives: (1) popular habits for the prevention of contagion, (2) ocular assessment of genitals, (3) condom lubrication, (4) suspicion of a hidden infection in the client, (5) saliva and oral contact as a source of contagion, (6) avoidance of semen contact, (7) and trust in God as protection.

Conclusions
The findings reflect the need for health and social professionals to promote participatory and inclusive cooperation with sex workers to update the framework of preventive beliefs that help them guide sexual health self-care with autonomy and self-efficacy, strengthening favorable beliefs and negotiating unfavorable ones. It is also essential to have a sex worker-informed sexual health policy that guides the promotion of sexual health that is sensitive to the needs and consistent with the risks of sex work and ensures friendly and non-oppressive preventive care environments for sex workers.
La figura del periodista frente al fenómeno de la desinformación en la era digital
Authors: Martín Miguel , Fior Asja , Costa Escuredo Álex , Ruiz San Román José A. 
Published: June 2024

El fenómeno de la desinformación se caracteriza por ser un modo de contar los hechos de una forma distorsionada que modifica la percepción de lo “real”. En ese sentido, merece la atención de ser analizado por la semiótica, ya que su mirada posibilita acercarnos al problema de la verdad desde un punto de vista estratégico. Para esta disciplina, el concepto “verdad” no se entiende como una correspondencia entre lo que se dice y los hechos, sino como un efecto de sentido que se crea en el discurso. Al respecto, se propone que un modo de enfrentarse a las fake news es revalorizar la figura del periodista, en tanto en cuanto su labor es la de elaborar información que, además de veraz, sea creíble. Asimismo, se enfatiza la necesidad de formar al periodista para que sea capaz de dominar distintas estrategias de enunciación y persuasión presentes en cualquier configuración discursiva.
INSEGURANÇA JURÍDICA E A TITULAÇÃO DE TERRAS NOS ASSENTAMENTOS DO XINGU-ARAGUAIA (MT)
Authors: Lourenço Taiana Ciscotto Martins 
Published: June 2024

A titulação de terras em assentamentos é considerada fundamental para a segurança alimentar, para o desenvolvimento socioeconômico dos assentados e tem o potencial de dinamizar o mercado de terras como consequência da regularização fundiária. Este artigo apresenta uma abordagem quanti-qualitativa que analisa a relação entre a titulação e a consolidação do território da agricultura familiar na fronteira agrícola do Xingu-Araguaia (MT). O objetivo principal é compreender os desdobramentos socioterritoriais do processo de regularização fundiária nos assentamentos do Xingu-Araguaia. Também busca-se identificar as características dos assentamentos e famílias assentadas da região bem como investigar o significado da titulação de terras entre os assentados. Verifica-se que a partir de 2020 houve uma aceleração da emissão de títulos de terras nos assentamentos dessa região, como resultado de políticas neoliberais implementadas no Brasil nos últimos anos. Além disso, evidencia-se que ao mesmo tempo que o título significa uma segurança para as famílias, ele também pode se tornar um instrumento de desestruturação dos assentamentos ao favorecer a expansão da fronteira agrícola, ameaçando estes territórios e os avanços conquistados nos últimos anos de luta pela terra.
An immuno-DOT diagnostic assay for autoimmune nodopathy
Authors: Jentzer Alexandre , Taieb Guillaume , El Bechir Jérémie , Vincent Thierry , Devaux Jérôme Joël 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Autoimmune nodopathy (AN) is a life-threatening peripheral neuropathy mediated by four autoantibodies targeting axoglial cell adhesion molecules at the nodes of Ranvier: Neurofascin-155 (Nfasc155), PanNeurofascin (PanNfasc), Contactin-1 (CNTN1), and Contactin-associated protein 1 (CASPR1). Antibody detection is a strong biomarker for AN diagnosis and treatment monitoring. The aim of this study was to develop an immuno-dot assay (immuno-DOT) compatible with routine implementation in medical laboratories.

Methods
This new approach was compared to standard techniques: indirect immunofluorescence assay, cell-based assay, and ELISA. Sensitivities (Se) and specificities (Sp) were calculated on a cohort composed of 58 patients diagnosed with AN, 50 seronegative patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, 20 healthy controls, 30 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome, 20 with monoclonal gammopathy and 20 with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. The patients were diagnosed with AN based on compatible electro-clinical arguments and at least two positive standard techniques.

Results
Immuno-DOT sensitivities and specificities were Se=91 %, Sp=97 % for anti-Nfasc155; Se=80 %, Sp=94 % for anti-PanNfasc; Se=93 %, Sp=98 % for anti-CNTN1; and Se=87 %, Sp=94 % for anti-CASPR1. Immuno-DOT allowed the diagnosis within 3 h and the accurate follow-up of the immune reactivity and isotype, and dot intensity correlated with antibody titers following treatments. A longitudinal study indicated that immuno-DOT yielded reliable results even after six months of storage at −20 °C.

Conclusions
The diagnostic performance of immuno-DOT was satisfactory and compatible with routine implementation in medical laboratories.
Was ist ein philosophisches Problem?
Authors: Harbecke Jens 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
This paper approximates a definitional distinction between philosophical problems and scientific problems. It defends the claim that philosophical problems can be defined as certain inconsistent sets 𝕄 of propositions. This set is characterised by its minimality, the plausibility of its individual propositions, the non-empirical character of some of these propositions, and by the fact that a discursive context exists within which some of 𝕄’s non-mathematical non-empirical assumptions are rejected by argument. In particular, this extrinsic and pragmatic criterion constitutes the novel character of the definition presented. Starting from the concept of philosophical problem, a classification of philosophy as an academic and intellectual discipline is presented. The last part of the paper deals with the question whether such an analytical understanding of philosophy is to be understood exclusively, or whether other kinds of philosophy should still be considered possible.
Softcommunication – Zum Stellenwert informeller Mitarbeiterkommunikation bei betrieblichen Sprachqualifizierungen
Authors: Binner Eric 
Published: June 2024

Zusammenfassung
Betriebliche Sprachqualifizierungen in multinational agierenden Unternehmen spielen vor dem Hintergrund zunehmender sprachlicher Heterogenität eine entscheidende Rolle für die berufliche Handlungsfähigkeit von Beschäftigten. Die vorliegende Studie exploriert den Stellenwert informeller Mitarbeiterkommunikation am mehrsprachigen Arbeitsplatz und deren Rolle in betrieblichen Sprachkursen. Den empirischen Untersuchungsgegenstand bilden Interviewdaten aus Gesprächen mit Firmenangehörigen eines führenden deutschen Technologieunternehmens. Die inhaltsanalytische Auswertung lässt darauf schließen, dass die für informelle Gespräche erforderlichen soziopragmatischen Kompetenzen in betrieblichen Sprachqualifizierungen marginalisiert werden.
The Hegelian Master–Slave Dialectic inHistory and Class Consciousness
Authors: Potamias Spyros 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe central axis of the article is the argument thatHistory and Class Consciousnessadopts from the Hegelian dialectics not only the category of totality but also the master–slave dialectic, although it never refers explicitly to the latter. Hence, in this article, we aim to detect the subtle influence that the Hegelian master–slave dialectic exerts onHistory and Class Consciousnessand, more specifically, on the constitution of the Lukacsian concepts of reification, praxis, working class-bourgeoisie interaction, working-class self-consciousness, autonomous subject. Our approach to the Hegelian master–slave dialectic is mostly – but not only – based on its philosophical–anthropological interpretation by A. Kojeve. Kojeve’s interpretation, by attributing a crucial role to labour in the mastery–slavery dialectic, focuses on that aspect of the Hegelian dialectic which, in our estimation, was determining forHCC.In addition, our approach to the Hegelian master–slave dialectic is based on some occasional references Lukacs has to it inYoung Hegelas well as on his interpretation latent inHistory and Class Consciousness.
Influence of Expanded Clay Aggregate on the Engineering Properties of Lightweight Concrete
Authors: Pujianto As'at , Prayuda Hakas , Asani Farrel , Santoso Muji Basuki , Wirawan Fahriza 
Published: June 2024

In seismically active locations, civil infrastructures, such as buildings, bridges, and dams, are frequently subjected to earthquakes. Using lightweight construction materials is one method for enhancing the seismic resistance of infrastructure. This study examined the engineering properties of lightweight concrete manufactured using expanded clay aggregate, with the purpose of developing sustainable and environmentally friendly building materials. Laboratory tests focused on the effects of the aggregate shape and the supplementary superplasticizer, as well as on the influence of the concrete age. Experimental studies were conducted to measure fresh (slump) and hardened properties (compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and density). The expanded clay aggregate was produced by burning at a temperature of 800 to 1 200 °C. Cubic, oval, and round aggregate shapes with a maximum size of 20 mm were evaluated. This study also examined the effect of superplasticizers on the engineering properties of lightweight concrete. The composition of the superplasticizer varied from 0 to 2,5%. According to the experimental results, the engineering properties of lightweight concrete made with oval aggregates are advantageous in comparison with those using cubic and round shapes. It is also demonstrated that optimal amounts of superplasticizer are necessary to develop materials with adequate properties. It can be concluded that expanded clay aggregate can be used as an alternative material to produce lightweight concrete.
Compensation as Radical Transformation
Authors: Kruger Matthew 
Published: June 2024

This paper draws on the concurring judgment of Froneman J in Agri SA to articulate a "new and fresh approach" to the power to expropriate and duty to compensate in section 25 of the Constitution. In Agri SA, the Constitutional Court had to consider whether the provisions in the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002 (MPRDA) expropriated property and, if so, what form of compensation was required as a result. The answers that Froneman J provides, rooted in his conception of "compensation in kind", offer a framework to enable rational, purposive and wide-ranging transformation of property through legislation. Work, though, is needed to clarify the structure and implications of his approach. This paper provides that clarity.
After an introduction, Part 2 unpacks the transformative, i.e., radical, nature of the change effected by the MPRDA, distinguishing it from reform. Armed with this distinction, it is argued that Froneman J's concepts of expropriation and compensation are rooted in a practical concern for: (a) the good and bad forms of being that Parliament wanted to facilitate and frustrate by way of the MPRDA; (b) the relations constitutive of these forms; and (c) the property that is needed to facilitate or frustrate the relations and forms. Part 3 clarifies the nature of Froneman's approach, by focusing on s 25(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, demonstrating that the factors it lists are concerned with maximally facilitating old and new goods, whilst always conscious of the fact that transformation by nature cannot avoid the need to sacrifice some goods for the sake of others. Part 4 offers some concluding thoughts.
Determining the Effects of a 12-Week Moderate Intensity Circuit Exercise Program on Body Composition and Physical Fitness among Overweight Women of Working Age
Authors: Namboonlue Sarocha , Dechakhamphu Ananya , Raksilp Monthicha 
Published: June 2024

Objectives. The study aimed to examine the effects of a 12-week moderate-intensity circuit exercise program on body composition and physical fitness among overweight women of working age.
Materials and methods. Twenty-nine overweight women of working age were divided into two groups: the control group (CG, n = 14) had a normal daily life, and the moderate intensity circuit exercise group (MICE, n = 15) underwent training that included 3 sessions of MICE (40–50 seconds followed by 60 seconds of rest for each exercise and 90 seconds of recovery between sessions at 64–76% of maximum heart rate). The training was conducted for 60 minutes per day, three days per week. Body composition and physical fitness were measured before (2 days prior) and after (2 days post) a 12-week training period.
Results. After the 12-week training, the MICE showed a considerable improvement in a number of key health indicators, including body weight, BMI, fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, visceral adipose tissue, total energy expenditure, resting energy expenditure, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio (-0.65%, -0.73%, -2.16%, 2.53%, -7.12%, 10.85%, 0.71%, -3.13%, and -2.67%, respectively, p < 0.05) when compared to the CG. Similarly, the MICE demonstrated a significantly larger improvement in the sit and reach test, the back extension test, the hand grip strength of the right hand, hand grip strength of the left hand, leg strength, the 60-second chair stand test (also known as sit-to-stand test), and the maximum oxygen consumption (18.98%, 16.53%, 10.69%, 7.68%, 9.97%, 26.25%, and 8.87%) compared to the CG (-4.10%, -1.19%, -0.26%, -1.53%, -1.44%, 0.24%, and -0.70%), respectively.
Conclusions. Moderate-intensity circuit exercise has been found to have positive effects on improving body composition and physical fitness in overweight working women. Thus, the implementation of MICE with appropriate sessions, resting, duration, and training periods can achieve maximum benefit.