bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The upper bound of information diffusion in code review
Authors: Dorner Michael , Mendez Daniel , Wnuk Krzysztof , Zabardast Ehsan , Czerwonka Jacek
Published: October 2024

Background

Code review, the discussion around a code change among humans, forms a communication network that enables its participants to exchange and spread information. Although reported by qualitative studies, our understanding of the capability of code review as a communication network is still limited.

Objective

In this article, we report on a first step towards understanding and evaluating the capability of code review as a communication network by quantifying how fast and how far information can spread through code review: the upper bound of information diffusion in code review.

Method

In an in-silico experiment, we simulate an artificial information diffusion within large (Microsoft), mid-sized (Spotify), and small code review systems (Trivago) modelled as communication networks. We then measure the minimal topological and temporal distances between the participants to quantify how far and how fast information can spread in code review.

Results

An average code review participants in the small and mid-sized code review systems can spread information to between 72 % and 85 % of all code review participants within four weeks independently of network size and tooling; for the large code review systems, we found an absolute boundary of about 11 000 reachable participants. On average (median), information can spread between two participants in code review in less than five hops and less than five days.

Conclusion

We found evidence that the communication network emerging from code review scales well and spreads information fast and broadly, corroborating the findings of prior qualitative work. The study lays the foundation for understanding and improving code review as a communication network.
Type-migrating C-to-Rust translation using a large language model
Authors: Hong Jaemin , Ryu Sukyoung
Published: October 2024

Rust, a modern system programming language, introduces new types that prevent memory bugs and data races. This makes translating legacy system programs from C to Rust a promising approach to enhance their reliability. Since manual code translation is time-consuming, it is desirable to automate the translation. To yield satisfactory results, the translator should have the ability to perform type migration, i.e., removing C types and introducing Rust types in the code. In this work, we aim to automatically port an entire C program to Rust by translating each C function to a Rust function with a signature containing proper Rust types through type migration. This goal is challenging because (1) type migration cannot be achieved through syntactic mappings between type names, and (2) after type migration, function bodies should be correctly restructured based on the precise understanding of the functions’ behavior. To address these difficulties, we leverage large language models (LLMs), which possess knowledge of program semantics and programming idioms. However, naïvely instructing LLMs to translate each function produces unsatisfactory Rust code, containing unmigrated or improperly migrated types and a huge number of type errors. To resolve these issues, we propose three techniques: (1) generating candidate signatures, (2) providing translated callees’ signatures to LLMs, and (3) iteratively fixing type errors using compiler feedback. Our evaluation shows that the proposed approach yields a 63.5% increase in migrated types and a 71.5% decrease in type errors compared to the baseline (the naïve LLM-based translation) with modest performance overhead.
Understanding ‘many’ through the lens of Ukrainian багато
Authors: Janda Laura A. , Palii Yuliia
Published: October 2024

We reveal an ongoing language change in Ukrainian involving a construction with a subject comprised of the indefinite quantifier багато ‘many’ modifying a noun phrase in the Genitive Plural. Number agreement on the verb varies, allowing both Singular (in 69.1% of attestations) and Plural (in 30.9% of attestations). Based on statistical analysis of corpus data, we investigate the influence of the factors of year of creation, word order of subject and verb, and animacy of the subject on the choice of verb number. We find that, while all combinations of word order and animacy are robustly attested, VS word order and inanimate subjects tend to prefer Singular, whereas SV word order and animate subjects tend to prefer Plural. Since about the 1950s, the proportion of Plural has been increasing, overtaking Singular in the current decade. We propose that this Singular vs. Plural variation is motivated by the human embodied experience of construing a group of items as either a homogeneous mass (and therefore Singular) or a multiplicity of individuals (and therefore Plural). This proposal is supported by the identification of micro-constructions that prefer Singular and show reduced individuation of human beings.
Optimizing micropropagation of Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gold Bar’ by shortening the production cycle and reducing acclimation stress through the use of selected growth regulators
Authors: Pacholczak Andrzej , Nowakowska Karolina
Published: October 2024

Miscanthus, with its decorative qualities and low cultivation requirements in terms of soil fertility and temperature, is the most popular grass in gardens and urban areas. For years, micropropagation has been regarded as an effective method of its production. However, in order to meet the demands of customers and provide adequate quantities of high-quality planting materials, it is necessary to develop more efficient methods of Miscanthus production. The present study evaluated the influence of different media on Miscanthus sinensis (Thunb.) Andersson (silver grass) multiplication as well as assessing the effect of different concentrations of selected cytokinins and auxins on multiplication and rhizogenesis. To shorten the production cycle and reduce costs, ex vitro rooting was combined with acclimatization, and selected growth regulators were used to decrease stress associated with external conditions. Biochemical analyses were conducted at each stage to determine the content of basic organic compounds, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and catalase activity. Stomatal function was assessed at the acclimatization stage. The obtained results allowed for the production cycle of plants propagated in tissue culture to be shortened by simultaneous rooting and acclimatization of microcuttings sprayed with abscisic acid (ABA). This regulator has been shown to effectively reduce plant stress associated with acclimatization by reducing H2O2 concentration and increasing assimilation pigment content. Growth regulators reduced the number of stomata that developed on the leaves of silver grass and led to lower stomatal conductance. H2O2 should be considered not only a stress marker but a vital signaling molecule.
Impact of urban disturbance on soil insect communities in a Brazilian Atlantic Forest biological station
Authors: Moreira Felipe Ferraz Figueiredo , Rodrigues Juliana Mourão dos Santos , Krull Marcos , Boullosa Raquel G. , Gentile Rosana , Sant’ana Karina Cunha , Simões Marianna V. P.
Published: October 2024

Urbanization constitutes a major threat to biodiversity. Understanding its effects on insect communities is relevant because they are key elements of trophic interactions, and indicators and targets of conservation. Herein, we investigated the influence of meteorological and habitat factors on the soil entomofauna in three areas with distinct levels of urbanization at the Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca, Brazil. We investigated whether community structure differs among areas with different levels of urbanization, and how changes in the environment affect soil insect community composition and distribution. We systematically monitored communities for 12 months in three areas along a gradient of anthropogenic disturbance, representing preserved secondary forest, disturbed forest and peridomicile areas. The results revealed that the degree of urbanization affects insect communities, with a strong effect of habitat factors, such as canopy cover, presence of flooded areas, quantity of fallen trunks and mean temperature. Insect abundance did not show significant differences among areas, while biomass was higher in disturbed forest than in preserved forest and peridomicile areas. Additionally, insect richness and diversity were higher in preserved and disturbed forests than in peridomicile areas, with no significant difference between preserved and disturbed forests. Our results can be used to enhance the understanding of the effects of urbanization on taxonomically and functionally diverse groups of insects, and to advise residents and urban planners about the consequences of urbanization on biodiversity and ecosystem services in urban-sylvatic interface areas.
Exploring the use phase social impacts of smart heating, ventilation and air conditioning control systems: A scoping review
Authors: Gobinath Praddeep , Traverso Marzia , Crawford Robert H.
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The environmental and economic benefits of applying smart approaches for the control of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in buildings have been extensively investigated and documented in the literature. However, considering the paradigm shift from environmental and economic concerns towards broader sustainability considerations, as well as the lack of studies covering the social pillar, this study presents a scoping review to identify the social impacts attributed to the use phase of smart HVAC control systems in commercial buildings.

Methods

The relevant literature, originating from both academic and grey literature sources, were identified and reviewed through a meticulous search, data charting and analysis process, in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI)’s Manual for Evidence Synthesis. The inclusion criteria, categorised into ‘participants’, ‘concept’, ‘context’ and ‘types of evidence sources’, were first determined. A search strategy and a three-stage screening process were then applied to locate and analyse the relevant records.

Results and discussions

In total, 133 records were included in this study. From this review, five main social themes were identified, namely, thermal comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ), privacy, security and employment. Both consumers and workers emerged as the stakeholder groups that were related to the use of smart HVAC control systems. The social impacts related to thermal comfort were measured by means of a wide range of indicators, but only a limited number of suitable indicators have been identified for other social themes. In general, the deployment of smart HVAC control systems resulted in positive outcomes for thermal comfort, IAQ and employment. Conversely, for both privacy and security, the users of buildings were reported to be negatively impacted.

Conclusions

Measures to alleviate negative social repercussions, as well as potential indicators to measure the use phase social impacts related to smart HVAC control systems, have been proposed and discussed. Further research is needed to evaluate how existing and prospective indicators can be used for assessing these use phase social impacts of smart HVAC control systems in a manner that is consistent with the social life cycle assessment methodology.
Criminal Sentencing and Artificial Intelligence: What is the Input Problem?
Authors: Ryberg Jesper
Published: October 2024

The use of artificial intelligence as an instrument to assist judges in determining sentences in criminal cases is an issue that gives rise to many theoretical challenges. The purpose of this article is to examine one of these challenges known as the “input problem.” This problem arises supposedly due to two reasons: that in order for an algorithm to be able to provide a sentence recommendation, it needs to be inputted with case specific information; and that the task of presenting an adequate picture of a crime often turns out to be highly complex. Even though this problem has been noted since the earliest attempts at developing sentencing support systems, almost no one has considered the ethical nature of this challenge. The aim of this article is to fill that void. First, it is shown that the input problem has been subject to somewhat different interpretations. Second, several possible answers as to when and why the problem constitutes an ethical challenge are considered. Third, a few suggestions are presented as to how undesirable implications of complexity at the input stage might be ameliorated by tailoring the way sentencing algorithms are developed and used in the work of criminal courts.
Microstructure and Selected Properties of Al2O3 Matrix Composites Fabricated by Pulse Plasma Sintering of Al2O3 and Pre-composite Powder (NiAl–Al2O3)
Authors: Zygmuntowicz Justyna , Konopka Katarzyna , Krasnowski Marek , Piotrkiewicz Paulina , Wachowski Marcin , Wieczorek-Czarnocka Monika , Pakieła Zbigniew , Płociński Tomasz , Cymerman Konrad , Żurowski Radosław
Published: October 2024

Paper-related production of composite materials from Al2O3-pre-composite powder (NiAl–10 wt pct Al2O3). PPS allowed for forming ceramic–intermetallic composites. MA produced the pre-composite powder. Six series of composites were made, differing in temperature (1200 °C, 1300 °C, 1400 °C) and content of pre-composite powder (2.5 and 5 wt pct with respect to the amount of Al2O3). Highest hardness was obtained for composite series sintered at 1300 °C. Both series, with various pre-composite powder content, had a value of 20.8 to 20.9 GPa. Samples containing 2.5 wt pct pre-composite powder sintered at 1200 °C were highest KIC value of 4.72 ± 0.34 MPa·m0.5. Interestingly, the same value was obtained in composites containing 5 wt pct pre-composite powder sintered at 1300 °C. For both series with different pre-composite powder content, sintering at 1400 °C obtained the highest strength. For composites containing 2.5 wt pct pre-composite powder, splitting tensile strength value was 255.98 MPa, while for samples with 5 wt pct, pre-composite powder was 264.01 MPa

Graphical Abstract
Community Policing Practice in the Nigerian Police: Implications of Employee Burnout
Authors: Okoka Happiness , Kheswa Jabulani Gilford
Published: October 2024

The Nigerian Police Force’s implementation of community policing has coincided with increased criminal activities, exacerbated by factors like high youth unemployment, inadequate healthcare, malnutrition, poverty, banditry, and intercommunal conflicts. Against this backdrop, this aimed at assessing how burnout affects the implementation of community policing within the Nigerian Police Force. It specifically aimed to explore how three dimensions of burnout—emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment, and depersonalisation—influence officers’ adherence to and practice of community policing principles. By examining these factors, the study sought to provide a comprehensive understanding of how the psychological well-being of police officers impacts their ability to effectively engage in community-oriented policing strategies. Participants were 360 police personnel, which consisted of 266 males and 94 females, with a mean age of 36.6 years. The study adopted the cross-sectional research design. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Community Policing Inventory were used as measures of burnout and community policing respectively. Three hypotheses were tested with the multiple linear regression. Results revealed that emotional exhaustion did not significantly predict the practice of community policing (β =  − .087, t =  − 1.332, p = .184), accounting for 8.7% variability in the practice of community policing. Personal accomplishment did not significantly predict the practice of community policing (β = .113, t = 1.951, p = .052), accounting for 11.3% variability in the practice of community policing. Depersonalisation significantly negatively predicts the practice of community policing (β =  − .275, t =  − 4.425, p < .001), accounting for 27.5% variability in the practice of community policing. It was recommended that future studies investigate the mediating and moderating variables that can provide a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between burnout and community policing in the Nigerian setting.
Responsibility Gaps and Retributive Dispositions: Evidence from the US, Japan and Germany
Authors: Kneer Markus , Christen Markus
Published: October 2024

Danaher (2016) has argued that increasing robotization can lead to retribution gaps: Situations in which the normative fact that nobody can be justly held responsible for a harmful outcome stands in conflict with our retributivist moral dispositions. In this paper, we report a cross-cultural empirical study based on Sparrow’s (2007) famous example of an autonomous weapon system committing a war crime, which was conducted with participants from the US, Japan and Germany. We find that (1) people manifest a considerable willingness to hold autonomous systems morally responsible, (2) partially exculpate human agents when interacting with such systems, and that more generally (3) the possibility of normative responsibility gaps is indeed at odds with people’s pronounced retributivist inclinations. We discuss what these results mean for potential implications of the retribution gap and other positions in the responsibility gap literature.
Current evidence on patient precautions for reducing breast cancer-related lymphedema manifestation and progression risks
Authors: Hunley Julie , Doubblestein David , Campione Elizabeth
Published: October 2024

Risk management and self-management strategies for breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) must balance best-evidence guidelines and associated risk factor knowledge. There is an evidence-based practice gap in the understanding of whether a change in education about risk factors and whether behavioral changes actually influence BCRL manifestation or progression. The purpose of this study was to (1) review if current evidence supports or refutes patient precautions to prevent the manifestation and/or progression of BCRL, (2) review if behavioral changes result in the prevention or reduction of BCRL, and (3) identify related gaps of knowledge for future research. Evidence map methodology was used to systematically review literature related to reducing the risk of BCRL. Literature searches were conducted in Medline, CINAHL, and Cochrane for the categories of trauma, blood pressure, temperature, air travel, and behavior change. One hundred and forty-eight articles were included for full-text review, of which 37 articles were included in this study. Within the confines of limb and trunk circumferential and/or volume enlargement, a ‘just in case’ approach to patient education on risk factors may not be appropriate for breast cancer survivors at risk of manifesting lymphedema. Patient education about precautionary risks for the onset of BCRL needs to align with research evidence. There is scant evidence about the risks of BCRL progression suggesting a need for future research.
The effect of compression therapies and therapeutic modalities on lymphedema secondary to cancer: a rapid review and evidence map
Authors: McNeely M. L. , Shallwani S. M. , Al Onazi M. M. , Lurie F.
Published: October 2024

The identification of effective therapeutic modalities to manage lymphedema secondary to cancer is a high priority among patients and clinicians. Complex decongestive therapy (CDT) remains a fundamental intervention for individuals with lymphedema; however, interventions involving modalities such as low level laser therapy, specially designed compression systems, and compression pumps may be helpful to improve outcomes and reduce costs of care. We conducted a rapid review of the literature examining compression therapies and therapeutic modalities in the treatment of lymphedema secondary to cancer. A search of the electronic databases from June 2018 to October 2023 was performed including MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL. The electronic search yielded 438 potentially relevant citations with 40 randomized controlled trials included in the review, and 30 in the mapping process. Ninety-three percent (n = 37) of the trials included participants with a diagnosis of breast cancer. Across all categories and domains, all but two trials were rated as having ‘some concerns’ or a ‘high risk of bias’. Intervention effects ranged from clinically insignificant to large effects on lymphedema volume. Evidence mapping suggests potential for benefit from (1) compression garments for the prevention of lymphedema, (2) interventions added to CDT in the intensive reduction phase, and (3) nighttime compression and compression pump treatments in the maintenance phase. A multi-centre collaborative research approach is needed to support the conduct of high-quality large-scale trials to inform the optimal type, timing, and combination of compression therapies and therapeutic modalities in the treatment of lymphedema secondary to cancer.
In-depth analysis of fault tolerant approaches integrated with load balancing and task scheduling
Authors: Mushtaq Sheikh Umar , Sheikh Sophiya , Idrees Sheikh Mohammad , Malla Parvaz Ahmad
Published: October 2024

One of the most important and frequently reported issues in cloud computing is fault tolerance. Implementing Fault Tolerance (FT) in cloud computing is challenging due to the diverse architecture and the complex interrelationships of system resources. The primary objective of this article is to critically review and analyze the fault-tolerant models with two other related aspects, i.e., load balancing and scheduling which is the peak need of the time and was not adequately addressed in the recent related surveys. In this paper, we present the systematic and comparative analysis of these hybrid models highlighting their limitations in different parameters, cases, and scenarios. Our analysis reveals that Proactive, Reactive, and Resilient approaches are commonly utilized to address system failure in the cloud. Also, it was found that a thorough study of intelligent fault tolerance approaches, also known as resilient fault tolerance, was overseen to determine their efficacy over conventional approaches. Additionally, the survey includes the discussion part which presents a unique in-depth analysis of hybrid fault tolerant approaches with respect to the handling of different faults and parameters. To illustrate the reviewed observations, a detailed statistical analysis has been conducted and presented graphically to provide insights into the study and simultaneously highlight further research in this area. Our analysis includes the critical role of these hybrid fault-tolerant models in accomplishing high accessibility and reliability in emerging computing systems thereby providing valuable insights for future researchers of the field. We have also provided a broad roadmap that charts strategies for facing the discussed cloud challenges. The study provides valuable contributions to the field.
Think Once, Think Again: Exploring the Harm-Made Mind Effect Through Dual-Process Theory
Authors: Koban Kevin , Wieringa Marieke S.
Published: October 2024

This paper presents results from a pre-registered online experiment (N = 317) on the harm-made mind phenomenon (i.e., people’s tendency to perceive mind in seemingly mindless agents, such as robots, when they are harmed). To address inconsistent findings on this phenomenon, we study the harm-made mind through a dual-processing perspective. We propose that the harm-made mind of a robot is (a) positively mediated by perceived capacity for pain and (b) negatively mediated by objectifying dehumanization. By manipulating information processing, we explore how different processing types (Type 1 vs. Type 2) impact the mediation of the harm-made mind through perceived capacity for pain and dehumanization. The results of the online experiment showed that when people gave rapid answers under cognitive load (i.e., when Type 1 processing was encouraged), watching a harmful interaction with a robot (compared to a no-harm condition) resulted in (a) a positive indirect effect on mind perception through perceived capacity for pain and (b) a positive rather than the assumed negative indirect effect on mind perception through a decrease in dehumanization. While the mediation effect of harm on mind perception through perceived capacity for pain was significant across processing types, the mediation effect of harm on mind perception through dehumanization was no longer significant when people were asked to deliberate on their answers (i.e., when Type 2 thinking was encouraged).
What is it like to be unitarily reversed?
Authors: Evans Peter W.
Published: October 2024

There has been in recent years a huge surge of interest in the so-called extended Wigner’s friend scenario (EWFS). In short, a series of theorems (with some variation in detail) puts pressure on the ability of different agents in the scenario to account for each of the others’ measured outcomes: the outcomes cannot be assigned single well-defined values while also satisfying other reasonable physical assumptions. These theorems have been interpreted as showing that there can be no absolute, third-person, ‘God’s eye’ description of our reality. The focus of this paper is the strongest of these no-go theorems, the ‘local friendliness’ theorem of Bong et al. (2020, Nature Physics, 16, 1199–1205), which gives earnest consideration to the possibility of a measurement that unitarily reverses an entire lab system, including a conscious agent, thereby erasing the agent’s memory. The purpose of this paper is to begin the philosophical conversation regarding key questions concerning this process: Are the events in the lab merely ‘erased’, or do they in some sense not exist at all? What would it be like to be unitarily reversed? Should an agent care about any experiences they have inside the lab before they are reversed? This analysis employs a parallel case of memory erasure, to which this case can be contrasted, arising in the context of drug-induced amnesia as a result of administering anaesthesia during medical procedures (Carbonell, 2014, Bioethics, 28(5), 245–254). I argue that the consequences of unitarily reversing an agent are much more dramatic than simply memory erasure—the set of events themselves, and the personal timeline of the agent, leave no record at all inside or outside the lab. I consider the ramifications of this for the picture of reality that arises from the EWFS.
Sucrose, glucose, and fructose preference in honeybees and their effects on food digestibility
Authors: Abdella Mostafa , Rateb Salah H. , Khodairy Mohammed. M. , Omar Eslam M.
Published: October 2024

In bee diets, nectar is the primary source of carbohydrates. During scarcity of bee flora, such as in winter, beekeepers typically provide supplemental sugar syrup as a nectar substitute. We examined four types of sugars (sucrose, fructose, glucose, and a mixture of fructose and glucose) on bee longevity, bee appetitive, and their impact on pollen digestion. The results showed that sucrose and glucose had extended the longevity in cages. Bees preferred sucrose at a 50% concentration since they consumed more than the other sugar types in cages and in the multiple-choice test experiment in apiary. Bees given sucrose solution consumed the most pollen. In contrast, the cages provided the fructose solution consumed the least amount of pollen, increasing body fat percentage, which can be considered evidence of a digestive disorder. Generally, the type of sugar affects bee’s benefits from nutrition. Finally, sucrose is the best type of sugar and is considered the ideal substitute for nectar.
Using a Group Stimulus Preference Assessment to Design an Effective Group Contingency
Authors: Fluharty Amber S. E. , LeJeune Lauren M. , Samudre Mark D.
Published: October 2024

The purpose of this study was to extend the limited research on group stimulus preference assessment (SPA) procedures. The study occurred in two sections of a middle school special education classroom and included 20 students with multi-categorical disabilities. A paired stimulus group SPA was used to identify a preference hierarchy for each class, and results were validated using single case designs in which baseline conditions were compared to group contingency conditions with alternating sessions of the highest-preferred (high-p) and lowest-preferred (low-p) consequences. Both group contingency conditions increased the percentage of students prepared for class relative to baseline; however, consistently higher levels of students were prepared for class during high-p sessions. Student responses on a daily quiz were similar in both conditions, but social validity surveys indicated students felt the most motivation and enjoyment during high-p sessions.
The effect of exercise training in people with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Traise Annette , Dieberg Gudrun , Pearson Melissa Jane , Smart Neil Andrew
Published: October 2024

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health issue with high mortality and economic costs. Exercise has potential benefits for pre-dialysis CKD management. This review examines the impact of exercise on CKD patients not on dialysis, focusing on improvement in various health parameters. Findings aim to inform the role of exercise in pre-dialysis CKD care.

Methods

A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus, up to August 31, 2023, used key terms relating to pre-dialysis CKD and exercise. We pooled randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing exercise with usual care and conducted meta-analyses based on a random effects inverse variance model with the effect measure of mean difference.

Results

Of 1162 identified studies, 37 RCTs met the inclusion criteria including 1248 participants. Significant improvements were identified for peak VO2, mean difference [MD] (2.66 mL/kg/min; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48, 3.83; p < 0.00001); the 6-min walk (MD 58.83 m; 95% CI 35.26, 82.41; p < 0.00001), timed up and go (standardised mean difference − 0.35; 95% CI − 0.54, − 0.15; p = 0.0006), 2-min step (MD 57.48 steps; 95% CI 27.80, 87.16; p = 0.0001), and sit to stand tests (MD 4.55 repetitions; 95% CI 1.49, 7.60; p = 0.004); short form [SF]-36 general health (MD 4.26; 95% CI 0.04, 8.47; p = 0.05); SF-36 mental component summary (MD 1.84; 95% CI 0.18, 3.51; p = 0.03); estimated glomerular filtration rate (MD 2.19 mL/min/1.73 m2; 95% CI 0.97, 3.50; p = 0.001); serum cystatin-C (MD − 0.06 mg/L; 95% CI − 0.11, − 0.02; p = 0.004); resting heart rate (MD − 1.97 bpm; 95% CI − 3.84, − 0.11; p = 0.04); triglycerides (MD − 12.97mg/dL; 95% CI − 17.30, − 8.63; p < 0.00001); glycosylated haemoglobin (MD − 0.25%; 95% CI − 0.50, − 0.01; p = 0.04); waist circumference (MD − 3.12 cm; 95% CI − 4.37, − 1.86; p < 0.00001); and interleukin-6 (MD − 2.24 pg/mL; 95% CI − 3.87. − 0.61; p = 0.007).

Conclusions

Analysis revealed improvements in aerobic capacity, functional ability, quality of life, estimated glomerular filtration rate, serum cystatin-C, resting heart rate, waist circumference, triglyceride, glycosylated haemoglobin, and interleukin-6 levels.

Graphical abstract
Die Buchpreisbindung: Evergreen oder Auslaufmodell?
Authors: Budzinski Oliver , Stöhr Annika , Schmid Jessica
Published: October 2024

In diesem Beitrag werden das deutsche Buchpreisbindungsgesetz und seine Bedeutung im digitalen Zeitalter kritisch beleuchtet. Das Gesetz schreibt eine vertikale Preisbindung sowohl für physische als auch für elektronische Bücher vor, mit den Zielen die Titelvielfalt und den lokalen Buchhandel zu fördern. Wir untersuchen beide politischen Ziele aus ökonomischer Sicht. Im ersten Teil der Analyse wird untersucht, ob die Preisbindung tatsächlich die Titelvielfalt erhöht. Während das Gesetz es den Verlagen theoretisch ermöglicht, Nischentitel zu subventionieren, indem sie höhere Preise für Bestseller verlangen, deutet die empirische Evidenz darauf hin, dass sich die Titelvielfalt nicht wesentlich verbessert hat. Zudem hat das Gesetz eine regressive Wirkung, da es die Preise für Bestseller steigert, was sich unverhältnismäßig stark auf einkommensschwächere Konsumenten auswirkt. Im zweiten Teil der ökonomischen Analyse wird das Ziel des Gesetzes untersucht, den lokalen Buchhandel zu erhalten. Auch hier zeigt die empirische Evidenz, dass mit dem Aufkommen von Online-Plattformen und Digitalisierung die Verfügbarkeit von Büchern (physische und digitale Exemplare) besser erreicht wird, als durch die Preisbindung. Wir kommen zu dem Schluss, dass das Buchpreisbindungsgesetz auf dem heutigen sowie zukünftigen Buchmarkt nicht mehr wirksam ist, da Online-Plattformen und der digitale Vertrieb besser zur Erreichung beider politischer Ziele beitragen.
Dipping your toes in the water: early childhood science learning at a beach kindergarten
Authors: Speldewinde Christopher
Published: October 2024

The forest school approach to learning has gathered momentum in the UK and parts of Europe for well over 50 years. In other contexts such as Canada, China, New Zealand and Australia, nature-based early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings, influenced by European forest school approaches, are in a growth phase. While research attention is often given to ‘green spaces’ such as nature reserves, parklands and forests, less consideration has been given to the ‘blue spaces’. Blue spaces incorporate beaches and coastal environments and can be rich contexts for early childhood science education. One example of a nature-based approach to ECEC is the Australian ‘bush kinder’. Bush kinders are growing in number and educators have been observed to include sessions at beach environments as part of year-long bush kinder programmes. Beach kinders often involve four- to five-year-old preschool children and provide experiences to learn from and about the natural world through play in the water, on the sand and amongst coastal woodlands. This paper highlights the importance of educators in fostering science teaching and learning in the context of beach kinders. Through analysing early years science education research, guiding curriculum frameworks and early childhood learning, the importance of providing children with beach kinder opportunities to enhance understandings of early childhood science education is discussed. Drawing on vignettes from ethnographic data, gained through researcher participant observation, the benefits of educators scaffolding children’s of physical, chemical and biological science experiences present in coastal environments is considered in this paper.
Vision-Based Optimal Landing Guidance Law for VTOL UAVs on a Moving Platform
Authors: Jang Wondae , Cho Moongyeang , Lim Heungsik , Lee Sujin
Published: October 2024

This paper proposes a vision-based autonomous landing strategy for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAVs on a moving platform. The approach uses visual measurements to estimate the relative position and speed between the landing pad and the UAV. Challenges arise when the landing pad moves out of the camera’s field of view or when visual measurements become unstable due to excessive UAV maneuvers, leading to degraded landing performance. To address this, the study introduces a novel tracking guidance law that controls the UAV’s position to keep the camera oriented toward the landing pad. An optimal landing guidance law is also developed to minimize attitude angle variations during the approach phase, ensuring stable image acquisition for improved state estimation and maintaining the camera’s field of view. We proposed a state machine-based landing procedure, incorporating landing decisions and go-around logic, enabling full autonomy. The proposed strategy’s performance is validated through flight tests with a multicopter and a fixed-wing VTOL UAV.
Deformation localisation in stretched liquid crystal elastomers
Authors: Poudel Rabin , Şengül Yasemin , Mihai L. Angela
Published: October 2024

We model within the framework of finite elasticity two inherent instabilities observed in liquid crystal elastomers under uniaxial tension. First is necking, which occurs when a material sample suddenly elongates more in a small region where it appears narrower than the rest of the sample. Second is shear striping, which forms when the in-plane director rotates gradually to realign and become parallel with the applied force. These phenomena are due to the liquid crystal molecules rotating freely under mechanical loads. To capture necking, we assume that the uniaxial order parameter increases with tensile stretch, as reported experimentally during polydomain-monodomain transition. To account for shear striping, we maintain the uniaxial order parameter fixed, as suggested by experiments. Our finite element simulations capture well these phenomena. As necking in liquid crystal elastomers has not been satisfactorily modelled before, our theoretical and numerical findings related to this effect can be of wide interest. Shear striping has been well studied, yet our computed examples also show how optimal stripe width increases with the nematic penetration depth measuring the competition between the Frank elasticity of liquid crystals and polymer elasticity. Although known theoretically, this result has not been confirmed numerically by previous nonlinear elastic models.
Biochar’s effect on the soil carbon cycle: a rapid review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bekchanova Madina , Kuppens Tom , Cuypers Ann , Jozefczak Marijke , Malina Robert
Published: October 2024

Biochar offers opportunities for improving soil carbon (C) sequestration and reducing CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. It has emerged as a strategy for mitigating climate change and improving the soil carbon cycle (SCC). While previous review studies have primarily investigated the effects of biochar on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a considerable research gap remains regarding its impact on the SCC. The present study aims to bridge this gap by examining the main SCC components: total CO2 flux, total microbial respiration, and C sequestration. We conducted a global meta-analysis which included 75 studies and 250 observations. The results show an average 11% increase in soil total CO2 flux from biochar, but the confidence interval (CI) slightly touches the no-effect line (CI [0%, 23%]). Total microbial respiration remains unchanged after the application (10%, CI [− 2%, 23%]). In contrast, soil C sequestration benefits from biochar by 61% (CI [36%, 90%]). Our analysis identified key predictors affecting SCC components: experimental design, continent, biochar application rate, feedstock type, and pyrolysis temperature. Incubation experiments reveal benefits for all SCC components. The Middle East, Europe, and Asia exhibit potential for enhancing C sequestration with biochar. Higher application rates amplify C sequestration and total microbial respiration. Manure biochar enhances total microbial respiration, while woody biochar influences total CO2 flux. Furthermore, lower pyrolysis temperatures show promise for improving C sequestration and total microbial respiration. In conclusion, while biochar holds promise for C sequestration, its impact on total microbial respiration and total CO2 flux remains inconclusive.
The Value of Androgen Measures for Diagnosing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in an Unselected Population
Authors: Pace L. , Kummer N. , Wallace M. , Azziz R.
Published: October 2024

Objective

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is diagnosed by a combination of three features: hyperandrogenism (biochemical and/or clinical), ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovarian morphology, usually detected by ultrasonography. Our study aimed to determine the need for androgen measurements by using hirsutism to establish hyperandrogenism for diagnosing PCOS in a medically unbiased population.

Materials and Methods

We utilized a pre-existing cohort of unselected (medically unbiased) females aged 18–45 years. All underwent a history and physical, including a modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mFG) hirsutism score. Subjects were categorized clinically as eumenorrheic non-hirsute (CONTROLS), menstrual dysfunction only (OLIGO-ONLY), hirsutism only (HIRSUTE-ONLY), or menstrual dysfunction and hirsutism (OLIGO + HIRSUTE). All subjects underwent measurements of androgens using high-quality assays. CONTROLS established the upper normal limit for androgen levels. We defined PCOS using the NIH 1990 criteria.

Results

Of 462 individuals with complete evaluations, 311 (67.3%) were CONTROLS, 71 (15.4%) were OLIGO-ONLY, 64 (13.9%) were HIRSUTE-ONLY, and 16 (3.5%) were OLIGO + HIRSUTE. Neither HIRSUTE-ONLY nor OLIGO-HIRSUTE women required androgen measures to demonstrate hyperandrogenism. Among OLIGO-ONLY, 19 (26.8%) demonstrated hyperandrogenemia without hirsutism, with White women significantly more likely than Black women to demonstrate this.

Conclusions

In our study of medically unbiased reproductive-aged women using the NIH 1990 criteria for PCOS, only 15.4% of women evaluated (those with menstrual dysfunction only) required androgen measurements. In these women only one-quarter demonstrated hyperandrogenemia. These data provide a strategy to minimize the need for androgen assays, including firstly categorizing subjects by clinical presentation and then assessing circulating androgens in the subgroup with menstrual dysfunction only.
Intergenerational and technological changes in mafia-type groups: a transcultural research agenda to study the ‘ndrangheta and its mobility
Authors: Sergi Anna , Lavorgna Anita
Published: October 2024

Mafia-type groups are increasingly mobile in their structures and in their activities. We propose here to revive cultural studies on mafias and organised crime by critically introducing insights from research on transculturation into mafia mobility studies. Transculturation helps understand how cultures stratify and engage with existing power imbalances in the host countries, within migration setting. We argue that transcultural transformations—primarily in the field of technology and intergenerational changes—have the potential to influence the resilience of mafia groups abroad. With the case of the ‘ndrangheta in mind—and using preliminary data from Operation Eureka (2023) to support our argument—we set a research agenda for three sub-themes of critical social science research into transculturation and mobility of mafia-type organised crime. This research agenda is adequate to study the mobility of mafia-groups, but will have the potential to influence research on mafias more generally.
Life cycle assessment of metal powder production: a Bayesian stochastic Kriging model-based autonomous estimation
Authors: Xiao Haibo , Gao Baoyun , Yu Shoukang , Liu Bin , Cao Sheng , Peng Shitong
Published: October 2024

Metal powder contributes to the environmental burdens of additive manufacturing (AM) substantially. Current life cycle assessments (LCAs) of metal powders present considerable variations of lifecycle environmental inventory due to process divergence, spatial heterogeneity, or temporal fluctuation. Most importantly, the amounts of LCA studies on metal powder are limited and primarily confined to partial material types. To this end, based on the data surveyed from a metal powder supplier, this study conducted an LCA of titanium and nickel alloy produced by electrode-inducted and vacuum-inducted melting gas atomization, respectively. Given that energy consumption dominates the environmental burden of powder production and is influenced by metal materials’ physical properties, we proposed a Bayesian stochastic Kriging model to estimate the energy consumption during the gas atomization process. This model considered the inherent uncertainties of training data and adaptively updated the parameters of interest when new environmental data on gas atomization were available. With the predicted energy use information of specific powder, the corresponding lifecycle environmental impacts can be further autonomously estimated in conjunction with the other surveyed powder production stages. Results indicated the environmental impact of titanium alloy powder is slightly higher than that of nickel alloy powder and their lifecycle carbon emissions are around 20 kg CO2 equivalency. The proposed Bayesian stochastic Kriging model showed more accurate predictions of energy consumption compared with conventional Kriging and stochastic Kriging models. This study enables data imputation of energy consumption during gas atomization given the physical properties and producing technique of powder materials.
A rapid fingerprint positioning method based on deep convolutional neural network for MIMO-OFDM systems
Authors: He Chenlin , Wang Xiaojun , Jiao Jiyu , Huang Yuhua , Han Chengpei , Zhang Yizhuo , Zhu Jianping
Published: October 2024

The combination of fingerprint positioning and 5G (the 5th Generation Mobile Communication Technology) offers broader application prospects for indoor positioning technology, but also brings challenges in real-time performance. In this paper, we propose a fingerprint positioning method based on a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) using a classification approach in a single-base station scenario for massive multiple input multiple output-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) systems. We introduce an angle-delay domain fingerprint matrix that simplifies the computation process and increases the location differentiation. The cosine distance is chosen as the fingerprint similarity criterion due to its sensitivity to angular differences. First, the DCNN model is used to determine the sub-area to which the mobile terminal belongs, and then the weighted K-nearest neighbor (WKNN) matching algorithm is used to estimate the position within the sub-area. The positioning performance is simulated in a DeepMIMO indoor environment, showing that the classification DCNN method reduces the positioning time by 77.05% compared to the non-classification method, with only a 1.08% increase in average positioning error.
Prognostic significance and biological implications of SM-like genes in mantle cell lymphoma
Authors: He Xue , Yan Changjian , Yang Yaru , Wang Weijia , Liu Xiaoni , Wu Chaoling , Zhou Zimu , Huang Xin , Fu Wei , Hu Jing , Yang Ping , Wang Jing , Zhu Mingxia , Liu Yan , Zhang Wei , Li Shaoxiang , Dong Gehong , Yuan Xiaoliang , Lin Yuansheng , Jing Hongmei , Zhang Weilong
Published: October 2024

Background

SM-like (LSM) genes a family of RNA-binding proteins, are involved in mRNA regulation and can function as oncogenes by altering mRNA stability. However, their roles in B-cell progression and tumorigenesis remain poorly understood.

Methods

We analyzed gene expression profiles and overall survival data of 123 patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The LSM index was developed to assess its potential as a prognostic marker of MCL survival.

Results

Five of the eight LSM genes were identified as potential prognostic markers for survival in MCL, with particular emphasis on the LSM.index. The expression levels of these LSM genes demonstrated their potential utility as classifiers of MCL. The LSM.index-high group exhibited both poorer survival rates and lower RNA levels than did the overall transcript profile. Notably, LSM1 and LSM8 were overexpressed in the LSM.index-high group, with LSM1 showing 2.5-fold increase (p < 0.001) and LSM8 depicting 1.8-fold increase (p < 0.01) than those in the LSM.index-low group. Furthermore, elevated LSM gene expression was associated with increased cell division and RNA splicing pathway activity.

Conclusions

The LSM.index demonstrates potential as a prognostic marker for survival in patients with MCL. Elevated expression of LSM genes, particularly LSM1 and LSM8, may be linked to poor survival outcomes through their involvement in cell division and RNA splicing pathways. These findings suggest that LSM genes may contribute to the aggressive behavior of MCL and represent potential targets for therapeutic interventions.