bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of dynamic patterns of human fetal to neonatal brain asymmetry with deformation-based morphometry
Authors: Steger Céline , Moatti Charles , Payette Kelly , Alexandra De Silvestro , Nguyen Thi Dao , Coraj Seline , Yakoub Ninib , Natalucci Giancarlo , Kottke Raimund , Tuura Ruth , Knirsch Walter , Jakab Andras
Published: October 2023

Despite established knowledge on the morphological and functional asymmetries in the human brain, the understanding of how brain asymmetry patterns change during late fetal to neonatal life remains incomplete. The goal of this study was to characterize the dynamic patterns of inter-hemispheric brain asymmetry over this critically important developmental stage using longitudinally acquired MRI scans. Super-resolution reconstructed T2-weighted MRI of 20 neurotypically developing participants were used, and for each participant fetal and neonatal MRI was acquired. To quantify brain morphological changes, deformation-based morphometry (DBM) on the longitudinal MRI scans was utilized. Two registration frameworks were evaluated and used in our study: (A) fetal to neonatal image registration and (B) registration through a mid-time template. Developmental changes of cerebral asymmetry were characterized as (A) the inter-hemispheric differences of the Jacobian determinant (JD) of fetal to neonatal morphometry change and the (B) time-dependent change of the JD capturing left-right differences at fetal or neonatal time points. Left-right and fetal-neonatal differences were statistically tested using multivariate linear models, corrected for participants’ age and sex and using threshold-free cluster enhancement. Fetal to neonatal morphometry changes demonstrated asymmetry in the temporal pole and left-right asymmetry differences between fetal and neonatal timepoints revealed temporal changes in the temporal pole, likely to go from right dominant in fetal to a bilateral morphology in neonatal timepoint. Furthermore, the analysis revealed right-dominant subcortical grey matter in neonates and three clusters of increased JD values in the left hemisphere from fetal to neonatal timepoints. While these findings provide evidence that morphological asymmetry gradually emerges during development, discrepancies between registration frameworks require careful considerations when using DBM for longitudinal data of early brain development.
Nestle and Maggi in India: Recovering from a Brand Disaster
Authors: Sahay Arvind
Published: October 2023

In 2015, NESTLÉ India underwent a major crisis as the product which contributed to nearly 30% of its sales had to be taken off the shelves. Maggi—the go-to convenience food for all generations (especially kids and young adults)—which had entered the market in 1983, was banned. With a market share of 70-80% before the ban, NESTLÉ, which got the ban lifted in November 2015, had to undergo the task of winning back the lost market. Over a period of 8 months after its relaunch, the brand regained about 60% of its market back, but the question is how could such brand disaster be avoided in future? The case revolves around a major brand recovering from a brand disaster, and whether they did it well enough or could the situation have been managed better. It also enquires as to what road should be taken forward from here. It notes the action taken by the government against the brand and leaves it to the judgment of the readers if the actions taken against the brand were a little too harsh, solely because MNCs are usually considered a soft target in India. The readers must also understand and analyse the different brand relaunch strategies that were adopted by NESTLÉ and the next steps that should be taken by it.
Dineout: Managing Business Disruptions
Authors: Roy Debjit , Shukla Abhishek
Published: October 2023

The case tracks Dineout's evolution into a full-scale tech solution provider for restaurants. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world. Several countries, including India, implemented complete lockdowns to control the spread of the virus. Stringent measures to ensure social distancing, night curfews and restrictions on social gatherings continued, which were a severe blow to the restaurant industry. The restaurants' revenue streams dried up as the diners avoided dining out and preferred food deliveries, which was against Dineout's core business model. The case ends with the questions on how Dineout should wade through the pandemic when its entire business model was being challenged.
IndiGrid: Transitioning into India's First Independent Power Transmission InvIT (B)1
Authors: Agarwalla Sobhesh Kumar , Pandey Ajay
Published: October 2023

This case is a sequel to the “IndiGrid: Creating India's First Power Transmission InvIT (A)” case. It describes the deal that would replace the trust's original sponsor, Sterlite Power, with a new set of KKR-led financial investors. It provides an opportunity to discuss the consequences of this change on the new investment manager's outlook for management and future acquisitions. The new investment manager, freed from the limiting interest of the original sponsor, had to search for investment opportunities from the perspective of incoming financial investors, which included the new sponsor. It also provides an opportunity to evaluate the trade-offs in investing in operational utility-scale renewable energy assets by the IndiGrid, which had so far only acquired operational transmission assets in its portfolio.
Jaiveer Roy
Authors: Vohra Neharika , Chari Vijayalaxmi , Mendonca Valerie , Bajwa Tanveer
Published: October 2023

Optifit, an international brand of fitness equipment, had entered the Indian market in 2010 and had rapidly opened 45 stores in 8 years in the four metros (NCR region, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata). Jaiveer Roy was identified by Pravin Gupta (South Zone head) and Raghav Mehta (HR head) to join as Optifit's Store Manager for its Alwarpet branch, Chennai, a store that had leadership difficulties from the day it started in May 2018. Roy joined the store in May 2018 and did very well soon after his appointment to the store. However, in less than three months, both Roy's and his store's performance began to suffer and his relationship with Gupta began to crumble. This case highlights issues in people management, especially support for people selected for leadership positions and examines the performance indicators of an individual's performance at a broader level. The case also points towards the mistakes or errors leaders may commit vis-a-vis their own role as a leader and mentor.
Bounce: competing in bike rental market
Authors: Ghosh Dastidar Surajit
Published: October 2023

Learning outcomes

The learning outcome of this case study is to help students identify issues of the electric two-wheeler industry in India, revisiting conventional business models and transitioning toward sustainable business models. Eventually, this case study will enhance students’ analytical, qualitative analysis, multidisciplinary approach and strategic decision-making skills.

This case study can be used to discuss Michael Porter’s five forces model, TOWS matrix and Michael Porter’s generic strategies for competitive advantage.

Case overview/synopsis

Bounce was established in 2014 by Vivekananda Halkere, Anil G. and Varun Agni. The startup was an on-demand service provider of scooters. It also claimed to be the world’s fastest-growing scooter rental startup. As of March 2020, Bounce operated in 12 Indian cities, namely, Bengaluru, Jaipur, Hassan, Kolar, Mysore, Bhuj, Udaipur, Belgavi, Hyderabad, Ahmadabad, Hampi and Delhi. Bounce’s revenue grew to INR 1,000m in the fiscal year (FY) 2020 compared to INR 160m in FY 2019. Halkere was happy and proud of what his friends and he had achieved in the past two years. However, he was concerned about competition. What plan of action was needed to help thwart competition. What would be the best strategy to achieve growth and monetize operations? and How would Bounce address these major challenges to capture market share?

Complexity academic level

This case study can be taught in advanced undergraduate, MBA or executive-level programs dealing with strategic management. This case study helps students in dealing with issues pertaining to a given market sector where a firm is operating and the strategies to thwart competition.

Supplementary material

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS11: Strategy.
Flexible work arrangements for work-life balance: a cross-national policy evaluation from a capabilities perspective
Authors: Brega Carla , Briones Samuel , Javornik Jana , León Margarita , Yerkes Mara
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the design of national-level flexible work arrangement (FWA) policies, evaluating their potential to serve as an effective resource for employees to work flexibly depending on how they set the stage for flexibility claims that will be subject to industrial and workplace dynamics.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a capability approach, the authors conceptualize and operationalize two aspects of FWA policy design, namely accessibility and availability. The authors' analysis allows for an understanding of how the availability and accessibility of national FWA policies explicitly and implicitly restrict or facilitate flexible working in a structural manner. The study focuses on countries with differing working time regimes and gender norms on work and care: the Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia.

Findings

The authors' findings highlight how FWA accessibility is broader when national policy is specified and FWA availability is not conditional to care. In Spain and Slovenia, access to FWAs depends on whether employees have care responsibilities, which reduces accessibility and reinforces gender imbalances in care provision. In contrast, the Netherlands provides FWAs universally, resulting in wider availability and accessibility of FWAs for employees regardless of their care responsibilities. Despite this universal provision, gender imbalances remain.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper lies in its conceptualization and operationalization of FWAs at the national level using a capability approach. The study adds to the existing literature on flexible working and provides insights for policymakers to design more effective FWAs.
A multinomial modeling approach to assess supplier delivery performance for buyer-supplier alignment
Authors: Bhattacharyya Kuntal , Guiffrida Alfred L. , Soto-Ferrari Milton Rene , Schikora Paul
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Untimely delivery of goods and services, especially in a post-COVID landscape, is a critical harbinger of end-to-end fulfillment. Existing literature in supplier delivery modeling is focused on penalizing suppliers for late deliveries built into a contractual transaction, which eventually erodes trust. As such, a holistic modeling technique focused on long-term relationship building is missing. This study aims to design a supplier evaluation model that analytically equates supplier delivery performance to cost realization while replicating a core attribute of successful supply chains – alignment, leading to long-term supplier relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The supplier evaluation model designed in this paper uses delivery deviation as a unit of measure as opposed to delivery duration to enhance consistency with enterprise resource planning protocols. A one-sided modified Taguchi-type quality loss function (QLF) models delivery lateness to construct a multinomial probability penalty cost function for untimely delivery. Prescriptive analytics using simulation and optimization of the proposed mathematical model supports buyer–supplier alignment.

Findings

The supplier evaluation model designed herein not only optimizes likelihood parameters for early and late deliveries for competing suppliers to enhance total landed cost comparisons for on-shore, near-shore and off-shore suppliers but also allows for the creation of an efficient frontier toward supply base optimization.

Research limitations/implications

At a time of systemic disruptions such as the COVID pandemic, global supply chains are at risk of business continuity. Supplier evaluation models need to focus on long-term relationship modeling as opposed to short-term contractual penalty-based modeling to enhance business continuity. The model offered in this paper is grounded in alignment – a cornerstone of successful supply chain integration, and offers an interesting departure from traditional modeling techniques in this genre.

Practical implications

The results from this analytical approach offer flexibility to a supply manager toward building redundancies in the supply chain using an efficient frontier within the supply landscape, which also helps to manage disruption and maintain end-to-end fulfillment.

Originality/value

The model offered in this paper is grounded in alignment – a cornerstone of successful supply chain integration, and offers an interesting departure from traditional modeling techniques in this genre. The authors offer a rational solution by creating an evaluation model that uses penalty cost modeling as an internal quality measure to rate suppliers and uses the outcome as a yardstick for negotiations instead of imposing penalties within contracts.
Drivers of consumer protection practices: implications for operational performance
Authors: Awaysheh Amrou , Klassen Robert D. , Shafiq Asad , Johnson P. Fraser
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Globalization and increased outsourcing have contributed to increased supply chain complexity, exposing firms to greater vulnerability in the areas of product safety and supply chain security. Meanwhile, stakeholders pressure firms to ensure that their products are safe, and their supply chains are secure. Drawing from stakeholder theory, this paper aims to explore how the supply chain characteristics of distance and power affect the adoption of consumer protection (CP) practices, which ensure product safety and supply chain security.

Design/methodology/approach

Using primary survey data from a sample of Canadian manufacturing firms, this research examines the relationships among supply chain characteristics, adoption of CP practices and firm performance.

Findings

Analysis supported the use of two practices related to product safety (consumer education and product design) and three practices for supply chain security (packaging, tracking and authenticity). Greater cultural distance between the focal firm and its suppliers was positively associated with investments in safer design practices, while increased geographical distance between the focal firm and the customer was significantly related to increased consumer education. Moreover, as power of a focal firm relative to its suppliers increased, so too did investments in supply chain security. Finally, CP practices were related to improved operational performance along multiple dimensions.

Originality/value

This research focuses on the critical role of two key stakeholder groups in improving product safety and supply chain security: suppliers and customers. The authors add to the theoretical discussion of product safety and supply chain security by identifying critical differences between suppliers and customers for the focal firm. Second, the research informs the managerial community of the potential benefits of investments in CP practices.
Provincialising Early Feminism: A View from the Middle East
Authors: Roded Ruth
Published: October 2023

‘Provincializing Europe’, derived from Dipesh Chakrabarty's work of that name, argued that an imagined ‘Europe’ was a founding myth for modernity. While not mentioning feminism, this analysis is a valuable starting point for tracing the path of the term ‘féminism’ from France to Britain to the Ottoman Empire and from the USA to the Arab world – in the contexts of each venue. This article provides a firm basis for comparing the advancement of women in the West and the Middle East. Some factors were similar, such as the influence of religious gender values, others differed, such as industrialisation.
H‐ETC2: Design of a CPU‐GPU Hybrid ETC2 Encoder
Authors: Lee H. , Nah J.‐H.
Published: October 2023

This paper proposes a novel CPU‐GPU hybrid encoding method based on the ETC2 format, commonly used on mobile platforms. Traditional texture compression techniques often face a trade‐off between encoding speed and quality. For a better trade‐off, our approach utilizes both the CPU and GPU. In a pipeline we designed, the CPU encoder identifies problematic pixel blocks during the encoding process, and the GPU encoder re‐encodes them. Additionally, we carefully improve the base CPU and GPU encoders regarding encoding speed and quality. As a result, our encoder minimizes compression artifacts, increases encoding speed, or achieves both of these goals compared to previous high‐quality offline ETC2 encoders.
Fast Grayscale Morphology for Circular Window
Authors: Moroto Yuji , Umetani Nobuyuki
Published: October 2023

Morphological operations are among the most popular classic image filters. The filter assumes the maximum or minimum value within a window and is often used for light object thickening and thinning operations, which are important components of various workflows, such as object recognition and stylization. Circular windows are preferred over rectangular windows for obtaining isotropic filter results. However, the existing efficient algorithms focus on rectangular or binary input images. Efficient morphological operations with circular windows for grayscale images remain challenging. In this study, we present a fast grayscale morphology heuristic computation algorithm that decomposes circular windows using the convex hull of circles. We significantly accelerate traditional methods based on Minkowski addition by introducing new decomposition rules specialized for circular windows. As our morphological operation using a convex hull can be computed independently for each pixel, the algorithm is efficient for modern multithreaded hardware.
Interrogating the agency and education of refugee children with disabilities in Northern Uganda: A critical capability approach
Authors: Monk David , Walton Elizabeth , Madziva Roda , Opio George , Kruisselbrink Annemaaike , Openjuru George Ladaah
Published: October 2023

This paper draws on empirical evidence from a 3‐year research project in Northern Uganda examining the educational experiences of refugees with disabilities. The authors present the compounded and interrelated challenges children with disabilities and their families face as they navigate their educational experiences and seek out opportunities to live well. The authors seek to make a contribution towards improving educational experiences by first highlighting compounding challenges faced by refugee children living with disabilities and their families and related policy gaps that have ramifications for refugee children's access to education in particular, and second by expanding discourse about refugee children with disabilities agency in relation to these liminal gaps and the impact the gaps have for accessing education. The authors use Powell and McGrath's (in Skills for human development: Transforming vocational education and training, Routledge, 2019; Handbook of vocational education and training, Springer, 2019) concept of critical capabilities and relationality, to expand Klocker's (in Global perspectives on rural childhood and youth: Young rural lives, Routledge, 2007) notions of thick and thin agency and to interrogate refugee children living with disabilities' agency in relation to education opportunities and rights.
Sophistication gap between countries: The effect of research and development expenditure
Authors: Kamguia Brice , Keneck‐Massil Joseph , Njangang Henri , Tadadjeu Sosson
Published: October 2023

A recent strand of the literature suggests that economic sophistication is a strong predictor of economic development. Given that this branch of literature is relatively young, the determinants of economic sophistication have not yet been fully explored. This study contributes to this literature by examining the effect of research and development (R&D) investments on economic complexity. By applying a dynamic panel model to a panel of 67 countries, the following results are established: First, the results showed that research and development investments are associated with greater economic complexity. Second, when analyzing R&D by sector, the results highlight the importance of research spending by higher education, business, public sector and private non‐profit sector in improving economic complexity. In the same vein, investments in different R&D activities, including basic research, applied research and experimental research, increase economic complexity. In addition, we provided evidence that R&D spending in several fields, including medicine, engineering, natural sciences, social sciences and arts, also increases economic complexity. Third, we further analyze the heterogeneity of the results, highlighting the role of natural resource endowment and income level. However, investments in research and development remain associated with higher levels of economic complexity in resource‐poor countries in contrast to resource‐rich countries, where they have no effect. Based on these results, policy implications were discussed.
Economic impact of resident and nonresident marine anglers to the local economy in Mecklenburg‐Western Pomerania, Germany
Authors: Strehlow Harry V. , Korzhenevych Artem , Lucas Jorrit , Lewin Wolf‐Christian , Weltersbach Marc Simon , Riepe Carsten , Arlinghaus Robert
Published: October 2023

Recreational fisheries catches are increasingly considered in the assessment and management of mixed recreational‐commercial marine fisheries, while the contribution of recreational fisheries to the economy is often overlooked. Using a telephone diary survey targeting marine recreational anglers in Germany, we estimated the number of anglers and their expenditures over the course of 1 year (2014–2015). About 197,000 marine anglers spent €248 million in Germany. We then constructed regional input–output models and contrasted the economic impacts of resident and nonresident anglers fishing in coastal and transitional brackish waters of the state of Mecklenburg‐Western Pomerania in north‐eastern Germany. On a regional scale, the total economic impact was €210 million supporting 2044 jobs, nonresident anglers were responsible for eight times greater economic impact than resident anglers. Maintaining attractive fishing opportunities for the recreational fishing sector, specifically angling tourism, is critical for maintaining resource flows to local and regional economies.
What about us? A vignette study explaining training preferences by contract type and skill specificity
Authors: KOSTER Ferry
Published: October 2023

This article presents a vignette experiment conducted in the Netherlands to study workers’ training preferences. Human capital theory, signalling theory and insights from the “new employment relationship” inform the hypothesis that training preferences depend on the specificity of the skills targeted by training in combination with employment contract type. The results confirm this hypothesis and indicate that, although workers on open‐ended contracts have a stronger relative preference for organization‐specific skills than temporary workers ‐ who have a stronger relative preference for general skills ‐ all workers prefer training aimed at general over organization‐specific skills. Workers on temporary contracts are moreover found to receive less training in practice than they would like.
First report of Diaporthe caryae causing stem blight of chilli pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) in China
Authors: Zhu Qi‐Han , He Jian‐Peng , Cheng Shu‐Yuan , Yuan Xin‐En , Liu Bing , Song Shui‐Lin , Jiang Jun‐Xi , Xiong Gui‐Hong
Published: October 2023

Chilli pepper is one of the most important and widely cultivated pepper types in China. It has high nutritional and economic value. Capsicum frutescens L. is one of the chilli pepper types in production. In October 2022, a new disease showing blight of the entire chilli pepper plant was observed in Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province. The fungal isolates consistently obtained from the diseased samples were identified as Diaporthe caryae C. M. Tian & Qin Yang based on morphological characteristics, pathogenicity test and phylogenetic analysis of four genes, including internal transcribed spacer region (rDNA‐ITS), translation elongation factor 1‐alpha gene (TEF1), beta‐tubulin gene (TUB2), and calmodulin (CAL). Although other Diaporthe species have been reported as pathogens of peppers previously, to our knowledge, this is the first report of D. caryae causing stem blight of pepper in the world. D. caryae was reported to be able to infect various fruit trees such as kiwifruit, peach, pear, and pecan, resulting in kiwifruit rot, peach constriction canker, pear shoot canker, and pecan dieback, respectively. The host range of D. caryae has expanded from fruit trees to vegetable crops.
Generalized myokymia, or neuromyotonia, or both in dogs with or without spinocerebellar ataxia
Authors: Vanhaesebrouck An , Van Poucke Mario , Stee Kimberley , Granger Nicolas , Ives Edward , Van Soens Iris , Cornelis Ine , Bossens Kenny , Peelman Luc , Van Ham Luc , Bhatti Sofie F. M.
Published: October 2023

Background

KCNJ10 and CAPN1 variants cause “spinocerebellar” ataxia in dogs, but their association with generalized myokymia and neuromyotonia remains unclear.

Objective

To investigate the association between KCNJ10 and CAPN1 and myokymia or neuromyotonia, with or without concurrent spinocerebellar ataxia.

Animals

Thirty‐three client‐owned dogs with spinocerebellar ataxia, myokymia neuromytonia, or a combination of these signs.

Methods

Genetic analysis of a cohort of dogs clinically diagnosed with spinocerebellar ataxia, myokymia or neuromyotonia. KCNJ10 c.627C>G and CAPN1 c.344G>A variants and the coding sequence of KCNA1, KCNA2, KCNA6, KCNJ10 and HINT1 were sequenced using DNA extracted from blood samples.

Results

Twenty‐four Jack Russell terriers, 1 Jack Russell terrier cross, 1 Dachshund and 1 mixed breed with spinocerebellar ataxia were biallelic (homozygous) for the KCNJ10 c.627C>G variant. Twenty‐one of those dogs had myokymia, neuromyotonia, or both. One Parson Russell terrier with spinocerebellar ataxia alone was biallelic for the CAPN1 c.344G>A variant. Neither variant was found in 1 Jack Russell terrier with ataxia alone, nor in 3 Jack Russell terriers and 1 Yorkshire terrier with myokymia and neuromyotonia alone. No other causal variants were found in the coding sequence of the investigated candidate genes in these latter 5 dogs.

Conclusion

The KCNJ10 c.627C>G variant, or rarely the CAPN1 c.344G>A variant, was confirmed to be the causal variant of spinocerebellar ataxia. We also report the presence of the KCNJ10 c.627C>G variant in the Dachshund breed. In dogs with myokymia and neuromyotonia alone the reported gene variants were not found. Other genetic or immune‐mediated causes should be investigated to explain the clinical signs of these cases.
Development and validation of an image biomarker to identify metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis: MR–MASH score
Authors: Marti‐Aguado David , Arnouk Joud , Liang Jia‐Xu , Lara‐Romero Carmen , Behari Jaideep , Furlan Alessandro , Jimenez‐Pastor Ana , Ten‐Esteve Amadeo , Alfaro‐Cervello Clara , Bauza Mónica , Gallen‐Peris Ana , Gimeno‐Torres Marta , Merino‐Murgui Víctor , Perez‐Girbes Alexandre , Benlloch Salvador , Pérez‐Rojas Judith , Puglia Víctor , Ferrández‐Izquierdo Antonio , Aguilera Victoria , Giesteira Bruno , França Manuela , Monton Cristina , Escudero‐García Desamparados , Alberich‐Bayarri Ángel , Serra Miguel A. , Bataller Ramon , Romero‐Gomez Manuel , Marti‐Bonmati Luis
Published: October 2023

Background and Aims

Diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatohepatitis (MASH) requires histology. In this study, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) score was developed and validated to identify MASH in patients with metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Secondarily, a screening strategy for MASH diagnosis was investigated.

Methods

This prospective multicentre study included 317 patients with biopsy‐proven MASLD and contemporaneous MRI. The discovery cohort (Spain, Portugal) included 194 patients. NAFLD activity score (NAS) and fibrosis were assessed with the NASH‐CRN histologic system. MASH was defined by the presence of steatosis, lobular inflammation, and ballooning, with NAS ≥4 with or without fibrosis. An MRI‐based composite biomarker of Proton Density Fat Fraction and waist circumference (MR–MASH score) was developed. Findings were afterwards validated in an independent cohort (United States, Spain) with different MRI protocols.

Results

In the derivation cohort, 51% (n = 99) had MASH. The MR–MASH score identified MASH with an AUC = .88 (95% CI .83–.93) and strongly correlated with NAS (r = .69). The MRI score lower cut‐off corresponded to 88% sensitivity with 86% NPV, while the upper cut‐off corresponded to 92% specificity with 87% PPV. MR–MASH was validated with an AUC = .86 (95% CI .77–.92), 91% sensitivity (lower cut‐off) and 87% specificity (upper cut‐off). A two‐step screening strategy with sequential MR–MASH examination performed in patients with indeterminate‐high FIB‐4 or transient elastography showed an 83–84% PPV to identify MASH. The AUC of MR–MASH was significantly higher than that of the FAST score (p < .001).

Conclusions

The MR–MASH score has clinical utility in the identification and management of patients with MASH at risk of progression.
Dark Triad personality traits and realistic and symbolic COVID‐19 threat: The role of conspiracy mentality
Authors: De Coninck David , Duque Maria , Schwartz Seth J.
Published: October 2023

The COVID‐19 pandemic has profoundly altered global social dynamics through extensive containment measures. Understanding how individuals perceive the virus, distinguishing between realistic and symbolic threats, and considering the influence of personality traits is essential for effective public health messaging and interventions. This study explores the linkage between personality traits and perceived COVID‐19 threats, mediated by conspiracy mentality, across diverse international contexts. Online survey data were collected in June 2021 from 13,645 participants across seven European countries, the US, and Colombia. The study explores how individuals with different Dark Triad traits perceive the threat of COVID‐19, and whether conspiracy mentality mediates these perceptions. The findings reveal distinct associations. Machiavellianism and narcissism were linked to lower perceived COVID‐19 threat, while psychopathy was associated with greater perceived threat. Additionally, individuals with higher conspiracy mentality endorsed greater perceived threat related to COVID‐19. This study highlights the influence of Dark Triad personality traits on how individuals perceive the threats posed by COVID‐19, with conspiracy mentality mediating this relationship. Understanding these associations provides valuable insights into psychological factors affecting COVID‐19 perception, informing future research and public health strategies.
Genome sequences of six cluster CT and two cluster DJ bacteriophages that infect
Gordonia rubripertincta
Authors: Rodriguez Xavier F. , Williams Daniel C. , Chia Catherine P.
Published: October 2023

We report the genome sequences of eight bacteriophages isolated using
Gordonia rubripertincta
NRRL B-16540-SEA. Based on gene content similarity to phages in the Actinobacteriophage database, six of the phages are assigned to phage cluster CT while two are assigned to cluster DJ.
Genomic sequence identification of
Arthrobacter
phage Ascela
Authors: Nesbit Audrey E. , Kanak Alison E.
Published: October 2023

Arthrobacter
phage Ascela was isolated in North Georgia. Its genome is 44,192 bp with 71 open reading frames and a GC content of 67.4%. It shares 99.29% nucleotide identity with
Arthrobacter
phage Iter. Actinobacteriophages that share over 50% nucleotide identity are sorted into clusters, with Ascela in cluster AZ and subcluster AZ1.
Supplemental Material: Provenance shifts in bauxitic clay from Zibo, North China Craton, links tectonics and climate to environmental perturbation
Authors: Wang Ruixue , Wang Qingfei , al. et
Published: October 2023

Includes four tables and eight figures providing detailed information on the composition, geochemistry, and provenance of the Zibo bauxitic clay deposit.  
The isospin and compositeness of the $$T_{cc}(3875)$$ state
Authors: Dai L. R. , Abreu L. M. , Feijoo A. , Oset E.
Published: October 2023

We perform a fit to the LHCb data on the $$T_{cc}(3875)$$

T

cc

(
3875
)

state in order to determine its nature. We use a general framework that allows to have the $$D^0 D^{*+},$$

D
0

D

∗
+

,

$$D^+ D^{*0}$$

D
+

D

∗
0

components forming a molecular state, as well as a possible nonmolecular state or contributions from missing coupled channels. From the fits to the data we conclude that the state observed is clearly of molecular nature from the $$D^0 D^{*+},$$

D
0

D

∗
+

,

$$D^+ D^{*0}$$

D
+

D

∗
0

components and the possible contribution of a nonmolecular state or missing channels is smaller than 3%, compatible with zero. We also determine that the state has isospin $$I=0$$

I
=
0

with a minor isospin breaking from the different masses of the channels involved, and the probabilities of the $$D^0 D^{*+},$$

D
0

D

∗
+

,

$$D^+ D^{*0}$$

D
+

D

∗
0

channels are of the order of 69% and 29% with uncertainties of 1%. The differences between these probabilities should not be interpreted as a measure of the isospin violation. Due to the short range of the strong interaction where the isospin is manifested, the isospin nature is provided by the couplings of the state found to the $$D^0 D^{*+},$$

D
0

D

∗
+

,

$$D^+ D^{*0}$$

D
+

D

∗
0

components, and our results for these couplings indicate that we have an $$I=0$$

I
=
0

state with a very small isospin breaking. We also find that the potential obtained provides a repulsive interaction in $$I=1,$$

I
=
1
,

preventing the formation of an $$I=1$$

I
=
1

state, in agreement with what is observed in the experiment.
Mathematical analysis of nonlinear models and their role in dynamics
Authors: Rehman Shahida , Muhammad Noor
Published: October 2023

Micropolar fluids provide a more accurate description of fluid behavior at small scales, where classical continuum models may fail to capture complicated microscale interactions. These interactions become significant in situations involving non-Newtonian fluids, complex geometries, and materials with internal structures. Unlike traditional fluids, micropolar fluids consider the effects of micro-rotations and micro-deformations. The objective of this exploration is to investigate the characteristics of flow in a micropolar-Casson fluid that is doubly stratified, and is induced by a stretching sheet. Additionally, the study investigates the transfer of both thermal energy and mass species over a two-dimensional porous medium. By utilizing suitable similarity transformations, a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) is derived by transforming the governing partial differential equations (PDEs) that describe the physics of the problem. The combination of a fourth-order Runge–Kutta integration scheme and the Shooting method is utilized to solve these equations. Various graphs and tables are utilized to illustrate the impact of physical parameters on the dimensionless quantities. Our findings exhibit strong conformity with the existing results in literature for specific scenarios. Furthermore, the outcomes highlight that the velocity and micro-rotation are enhanced by the material parameter.
Grazing, Homoclinic Orbits and Chaos in a Single-Loop Feedback System with a Discontinuous Function
Authors: Horikawa Yo
Published: October 2023

Bifurcations and chaos of a three-dimensional single-loop feedback system with a discontinuous piecewise linear feedback function are examined. Chaotic attractors are generated at the same time of the destabilization of foci accompanied with grazing. Multiple periodic solutions are connected with homoclinic orbits based at a pseudo saddle-focus, which satisfies the condition of Shil’nikov chaos formally. The generation of chaotic oscillations is shown in a circuit experiment on a linear ring oscillator with a comparator. The homoclinic bifurcations and chaos are also shown in a ring neural network with a nonmonotonic neuron.
Surgical Interventions for Chronic Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries of the Thumb: A Systematic Review
Authors: BROCK James , JAYARAJU Ullas , TRICKETT Ryan W.
Published: October 2023

Background: There is no consensus for the appropriate surgical management of symptomatic chronic ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries of the thumb. The aim of this study is to systematically review the treatment of chronic thumb metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint UCL injuries to determine the optimal approach to treatment.

Methods: A systematic review of PubMed, Medline, Embase and ePub Ahead of Print was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting of Items in Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.

Results: Data from 11 studies using various surgical techniques in 245 thumbs were heterogenous and meta-analysis of results not possible. These data were qualitatively assessed. Direct repair, reconstruction with free tendon grafts and arthrodesis all demonstrated favourable outcomes with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

Conclusions: Direct repair can be safely performed more than 2 months following injury. Arthrodesis may be considered in heavy manual labourers or those with osteoarthrosis. Tendon grafting is safe, yet the optimal type and configuration are yet to be determined for reconstructive methods.

Level of Evidence: Level III (Therapeutic)
Addressing Employment Challenges for Ex-Offenders
Authors: Tay Patrick
Published: October 2023

This practitioner note provides an overview of the National Trades Union Congress’ (NTUC) engagement initiatives with ex-offenders, inmates, and employers interested in hiring them. These efforts aim to address the marginalised segments affected by the rapidly evolving economic and labour landscape. NTUC’s broader campaign to renew its compact with workers encompassed these engagements. In tackling the employment challenges faced by ex-offenders, NTUC remains dedicated to expanding the pool of inclusive employers, improving job retention rates, and fostering career progression. However, to facilitate long-term rehabilitation, it is imperative for tripartite partners and the community to collaborate on initiating workplace mentorship programmes, integrating therapeutic interventions with Career Retention Support initiatives, and introducing supportive communities for ex-offenders.
ADEPT 2022 workshop: a summary of strengths and weaknesses of the AADL ecosystem
Authors: Singhoff Frank , Hugues Jerome , Nam Tran Hai , Bardaro Gianluca , Blouin Dominique , Bozzano Marco , Denzler Patrick , Dissaux Pierre , Senn Eric , Xu Xiong , Yang Zhibin
Published: October 2023

The Architecture Analysis and Design Language (AADL) is a SAE Standard for the modeling of both the hardware and the software of embedded systems. The AADL standard is now mature and is today employed by numerous stakeholders in the domain of critical embedded real-time systems to address a large set of concerns: performances (latency, schedulability), safety, or security, ... The ADEPT workshop aims to present and report on current projects in the field of design, implementation, and verification of critical systems where AADL is a first-citizen technology. This article is a summary of the ADEPT 2022 workshop.
Experiences Modeling a OPC UA / DDS Gateway in AADL in the Context of Fog Computing
Authors: Denzler P. , Ramsauer D. , Scheuchenstuhl D. , Kastner W.
Published: October 2023

The legacy protocols still used in industrial automation are an obstacle to interoperability. In the meantime, while newer protocols are slowly replacing gateways, they can provide a bridge between new and legacy protocols. The Architecture Analysis & Design Language (AADL) was used in the Fog Computing for Robotics and Industrial Automation (FORA) project to model a Fog Computing Platform (FCP). Part of the FCP is an OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) / Data Distribution Service (DDS) gateway. The main goal was to develop an AADL model that allows the creation of platform-specific instances of such a gateway and the creation of other gateways. While the gateway model is incomplete, it formed the basis for several gateway prototypes. Challenges included complex data structures and tooling issues related to code generation. Nevertheless, the experiences with the AADL modeling of the gateway and the FCP were positive overall.
Modelling Robot Architectures with AADL
Authors: Bardaro Gianluca , Matteucci Matteo
Published: October 2023

Robots are complex systems composed of many interacting subsystems, each coordinating a multitude of hardware and software components. In the last twenty years, robotic frameworks helped accelerate the development process by providing a reference structure and publicly available software components. However, current practices are not sustainable for modern robotic systems. In this work, we present a modelling approach based on the Architecture Analysis and Design Language (AADL) to define robotic systems and enhance software development practices for robotics. Additionally, we exploit the model to perform automatic code generation, which reduces development time and guarantees a more reliable and robust implementation.
An Introduction to ALISA and Its Usage for an Industrial Railway System Case Study
Authors: Blouin Dominique , Crisafulli Paolo , Maxim Cristian , Caron Francoise
Published: October 2023

This paper presents an overview of ALISA (Architecture- Led Incremental System Assurance) and its evaluation for a case study of the railway domain as presented during the ADEPT workshop collocated with the 26th Ada-Europe International Conference on Reliable Software Technologies.
Nonreciprocal Transport and Optical Phenomena in Quantum Materials
Authors: Nagaosa Naoto , Yanase Youichi
Published: October 2023

In noncentrosymmetric materials, the responses (for example, electrical and optical) generally depend on the direction of the external stimuli, called nonreciprocal phenomena. In quantum materials, these nonreciprocal responses are governed by the quantum geometric properties and symmetries of the electronic states. In particular, spatial inversion ([Formula: see text]) and time-reversal ([Formula: see text]) symmetries play crucial roles, which are also relevant to the geometric Berry phase. Here, we give a comprehensive review of the nonreciprocal transport and optical responses including ( a) the magnetochiral anisotropy, i.e., the nonlinear resistivity with respect to the electric field, in semiconductors and metals, ( b) the nonreciprocal transport in superconductors such as the nonreciprocal paraconductivity and the superconducting diode effect in bulk and Josephson junctions, and ( c) the second-order nonlinear optical effects in the electric field of light, including the geometric shift current in nonmagnetic systems, magnetic systems, and superconductors.
First-Time Application of Underwater Live Concrete for Economic Retrofitting of Damaged Bridge Piers in Bangladesh
Authors: Islam S. Sowmik , Umme Rukiya Quazi , Tasnim Mukarram Mirza Md
Published: October 2023

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the use of underwater concrete (UWC) in the retrofitting restoration of bridge piers in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, UWC is a comparatively new technology, and this investigation represents the first instance of its application in practice. This study’s primary objective was to produce self-compacting, self-fresh concrete with minimal mass loss. To accomplish this objective, antiwashout admixture (AWA) was added to the concrete mix at varying weight percentages (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and –0.5%) to determine the optimal dosage of AWA that would result in the least amount of concrete washout. The slump and runoff resistance of the concrete mixture were evaluated, and it was observed that a certain percentage of AWA addition resulted in minimal cement mass loss. Furthermore, cost reduction was a major concern of this study, as it is essential to minimize project expenses. Thus, comparative cost analyses of various repair techniques were conducted to determine the most cost-effective approach for future underwater repairs.
Exploring the Psychosocial Needs of Adults with Haematological Cancer under Watch-and-Wait: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Russell Katie , Tickle Anna , Moghaddam Nima , Biswas Sanchia
Published: October 2023

Objective. Research reporting the unmet needs of individuals with haematological cancers under watch-and-wait is scarce, despite reports of elevated levels of psychological distress. This qualitative study aimed to explore the psychosocial needs of these individuals, and when these were met, if so at all. Methods. A longitudinal design using semistructured interviews was used. Individuals with a diagnosis of haematological cancer living under watch-and-wait were recruited through online support groups. Participants were each invited to two semistructured interviews, six months apart. Interviews took place in March 2022 and September 2022 and were therefore in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Reflexive thematic analysis and pattern-oriented longitudinal analysis were used to analyse the data. Results. Of the fifteen participants interviewed initially, twelve attended a second interview. The sample was predominantly White and female. Across participants and time points, a theme was generated that individuals experienced a “Psychological battle of watch-and-wait.” Under this overarching theme, four themes were constructed: “Understanding the impossible: Cancer that does not require treatment;” “Sense of abandonment under watch and wait;” “The importance of peer connection;” and “Trying to live after COVID-19.” The themes were understood to predominantly represent needs for information, communication, peer support, and emotional support and were most often met when individuals engaged with relevant charities. Conclusion. People living with haematological cancer under watch-and-wait may be at risk of having unmet needs across domains, and without support, these needs will likely remain unmet over time. The findings add to the growing literature base how Oncology and Haematology services can holistically support individuals with indolent cancers to live well alongside their diagnosis.