bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recommendations for High-resolution Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography Assessment of Bone Density, Microarchitecture, and Strength in Pediatric Populations
Authors: Gabel L. , Kent K. , Hosseinitabatabaei S. , Burghardt A. J. , Leonard M. B. , Rauch F. , Willie B. M.
Published: July 2023

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to summarize current approaches and provide recommendations for imaging bone in pediatric populations using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT).

Recent Findings

Imaging the growing skeleton is challenging and HR-pQCT protocols are not standardized across centers. Adopting a single-imaging protocol for all studies is unrealistic; thus, we present three established protocols for HR-pQCT imaging in children and adolescents and share advantages and disadvantages of each. Limiting protocol variation will enhance the uniformity of results and increase our ability to compare study results between different research groups. We outline special cases along with tips and tricks for acquiring and processing scans to minimize motion artifacts and account for growing bone.

The recommendations in this review are intended to help researchers perform HR-pQCT imaging in pediatric populations and extend our collective knowledge of bone structure, architecture, and strength during the growing years.
What do Retraction Notices Reveal About Institutional Investigations into Allegations Underlying Retractions?
Authors: Xu Shaoxiong Brian , Evans Natalie , Hu Guangwei , Bouter Lex
Published: July 2023

Academic journal publications may be retracted following institutional investigations that confirm allegations of research misconduct. Retraction notices can provide insight into the role institutional investigations play in the decision to retract a publication. Through a content analysis of 7,318 retraction notices published between 1927 and 2019 and indexed by the Web of Science, we found that most retraction notices (73.7%) provided no information about institutional investigations that may have led to retractions. A minority of the retraction notices (26.3%) mentioned an institutional investigation either by journal authorities (12.1%), research performing organizations (10.3%), joint institutions (1.9%), research integrity and ethics governing bodies (1.0%), third-party institutions (0.5%), unspecified institutions (0.4%), or research funding organizations (0.1%). Comparing retraction notices issued before and after the introduction of retraction guidelines by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) in 2009 revealed that those published after the guidelines’ publication were more likely to report investigations by journal authorities. Comparing retraction notices from different disciplines revealed that those from social sciences and the humanities were more likely to disclose investigations by research performing organizations than those from biomedical and natural sciences. Based on these findings, we suggest that the COPE retraction guidelines in the future make it mandatory to disclose in retraction notices institutional investigations leading to retractions.
Perceived threat, injustice appraisal and willingness to join progressive collective action
Authors: Szóstakowski Damian , Besta Tomasz
Published: July 2023

Collective actions are the activities which are aimed at improving social group’s conditions. Presented studies were conducted to examine if perceived threat is connected to the tendency to engage in collective actions, and if this relation is mediated by injustice appraisal and stronger identification with in-group. Four studies were conducted in two social contexts of collective action: newly formed woman’s rights movement with a focus on opposing abortion ban in Poland, and progressive movements advocating equality of marriage for LGBT community. Both topics are strongly present in Polish social debate in recent years. Results show a significant link between perceived group threat and the tendency to participate in group action. This relationship is mediated by injustice appraisal and group identification–the more members of in-group and their allies perceived out-group as threatening, the stronger feeling of unjust treatment and identification with the discriminated groups. In turn identification is connected to the motivation to act collectively.
Deforestation Impacts on Diversity of Orchids with Inference on the Conservation Initiatives: Malaysia Case Study
Authors: Besi Edward Entalai , Mustafa Muskhazli , Yong Christina Seok Yien , Go Rusea
Published: July 2023

Monitoring the impact of anthropogenic and naturogenic threats on orchid community through diversity, taxonomy and conservation studies is necessary. Reintroduction of these species to their natural habitat associates with their resilience, selection of suitable trees and sites for regeneration and restoration efforts, drives the conservation initiative. Upon obtaining an accurate estimate of the diversity for genetic resource conservation, integrative methods of classical morphological taxonomy, anatomy (micromorphology), and molecular genetics are crucial to solve the taxonomic uncertainty. Changes in microclimatic conditions and habitat structures are the key determinants of both epiphytic and terrestrial orchids assemblages following disturbance. Any assessments of biodiversity and ecosystem service must include variable forest types and management regimes to provide impartial views on the effect of forest and ecological disturbance on the orchid community. Accordingly, a plant-microbial ecology study should be included to study the extent of human-induced climatic variability towards the orchid diversification.
Objective Cost-Informed Cutoff Criteria Improve the Utility of Machine Learning Models of Environmental Hazards: A Case Study of Groundwater Arsenic Distribution in India
Authors: Wu Ruohan , Polya David A.
Published: July 2023

Although there are an increasing number of artificial intelligence/machine learning models of various hazardous chemicals (e.g. As, F, U, NO3−, radon) in environmental media (e.g. groundwater, soil), these most commonly use arbitrarily selected cutoff criteria to balance model specificity and sensitivity. This results in models of hazard distribution that, whilst often of considerable interest and utility, are not designed to optimize cost benefits of the mitigation of those hazards. In this case study, building upon recent machine learning modelling of the geographical distribution of groundwater arsenic in India, we show that the use of objective cost-informed criteria not only results in (i) different cutoff values for the classification of areas as of high or low groundwater arsenic hazard but also, more importantly, (ii) a reduction of overall potential (mitigation + testing + health impacts) costs. Further, we show that the change in optimal cutoff values and the reduction in overall costs vary from state to state depending upon locally specific classification-dependent costs, the prevalence of high arsenic groundwaters, the heterogeneity of the distribution of those high arsenic groundwaters, and the extent to which inhabitants are exposed to the hazard. It follows more generally that using cost-optimized criteria will result in different, more objective, and more cost-relevant appropriate balances being made between specificity and sensitivity in modelling environmental hazard distribution in different regions. This indicates also the utility of developing machine learning models at an appropriate local (e.g. country, state, district) scale rather than more global scales in order to better inform local-scale mitigation strategies.
An interdisciplinary approach to the study of kiln firing: a case study from the Campus Galli open-air museum (southern Germany)
Authors: Amicone Silvia , Memmesheimer Alisa , Solard Baptiste , Gur-Arieh Shira , Rogier Martin , Qarni Awais Mohammed , Seidler Johannes , Sconzo Paola , Heinze Lars , Morandi Lionello F. , Kiemle Tobias , Miller Christopher E. , Nickel Klaus G. , Berthold Christoph
Published: July 2023

Pottery kilns are a common feature in the archaeological record of different periods. However, these pyrotechnological installations are still seldom the target of interdisciplinary investigations. To fill this gap in our knowledge, an updraft kiln firing experiment was run at the Campus Galli open-air museum (southern Germany) by a team consisting of experimental archaeologists, material scientists, geoarchaeologists, and palaeobotanists. The entire process from the preparation of the raw materials to the firing and opening of the kiln was carefully recorded with a particular focus on the study of the raw materials used for pottery making, as well as on fuel usage. The temperatures were monitored by thermocouples placed at different positions in the combustion and firing chambers. In addition, thermocouples were installed within the kiln wall to measure the temperature distribution inside the structure itself. Unfired raw materials as well as controlled and experimentally thermally altered ceramic samples were then characterised with an integrated analysis including ceramic petrography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). Our work provides data about mineralogical and microstructural developments in both pottery kiln structures and the ceramics produced in this type of installations. This is helpful to discuss the limits and potential of various scientific analyses commonly used in ancient ceramic pyrotechnological studies. Overall, our work contributes to a better understanding of updraft kiln technology and offers guidelines on how to address the study of this type of pyrotechnological installations using interdisciplinary research strategies.
Ethics of Quantum Computing: an Outline
Authors: Possati Luca M.
Published: July 2023

This paper intends to contribute to the emerging literature on the ethical problems posed by quantum computing and quantum technologies in general. The key ethical questions are as follows: Does quantum computing pose new ethical problems, or are those raised by quantum computing just a different version of the same ethical problems raised by other technologies, such as nanotechnologies, nuclear plants, or cloud computing? In other words, what is new in quantum computing from an ethical point of view? The paper aims to answer these two questions by (a) developing an analysis of the existing literature on the ethical and social aspects of quantum computing and (b) identifying and analyzing the main ethical problems posed by quantum computing. The conclusion is that quantum computing poses completely new ethical issues that require new conceptual tools and methods.
Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on Hematological and Biochemical Markers, Hormonal Behavior, and Oxidant Response in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gómez Afonso Adrián , Fernandez-Lazaro Diego , Adams David P. , Monserdà-Vilaró Aniol , Fernandez-Lazaro Cesar I.
Published: July 2023

Purpose of Review

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ws) is a common herb plant that has been used for centuries to treat a wide range of conditions, particularly certain chronic diseases due to its antidiabetic, cardioprotective, antistress, and chondroprotective effects, among many others. No conclusive evidence, however, exists about the potential health effects of Ws in adults without chronic conditions. We aimed to evaluate the current evidence on the health benefits of Ws supplementation in healthy adults.

Recent Findings

Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we systematically reviewed studies indexed in Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed to assess the effects of Ws on hematological and biochemical markers, hormonal behavior, and oxidant response in healthy adults. Original articles published up to March 5, 2022, with a controlled trial design or pre-post intervention design, in which supplementation of Ws was compared to a control group or data prior to intervention were included. Among 2,421 records identified in the search, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall, most of the studies reported beneficial effects of the Ws supplementation, and no serious adverse events were reported. Participants supplemented with Ws displayed reduced levels of oxidative stress and inflammation, and counterbalanced hormone levels. No evidence of the beneficial effects of Ws supplementation on hematological markers was reported.

Ws supplementation appears to be safe, may regulate hormone levels, and has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the relevance of its application.
Evaluating heavy metal levels and their toxicity risks in an urban lake in Chennai, India
Authors: Rosado D. , Castillo F. , Nambi I. , Sadhasivam R. , Valleru H. , Fohrer N.
Published: July 2023

Many urban water bodies in Chennai, India receive untreated sewage that pollutes their waters. An example is the Sembakkam lake, in which water reaches the Pallikaranai marshland, a proposed Ramsar site. In 2019, the city experienced the worst water crisis in 30 years, and many lakes were extremely dry, favoring peaks of heavy metals. Therefore, this study focuses on analysing heavy metal pollution and evaluating its potential effects on biota. In situ parameters were measured and water, sediment, and water hyacinth samples were collected during four campaigns. Al, As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were measured in all samples. Digestions for total metal content were performed in solid samples and acetic acid extractions only in sediments. The average pH (7.89–8.46) was neutral-alkaline and electrical conductivities (1559–2864 µS/cm) were high. In water, Pb (average: 2.59 µg/l) posed the highest toxicity risk according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, followed by Cu and Cr. In sediment, Cu and Cr reached severe enrichment with respect to continental crust (averages: 19.46 and 13.65) followed by Ni and Zn with moderately severe enrichment. Ni produced the highest toxicity risk (average: 76.18 mg/kg), above the effects range-median, followed by Cr and Cu, between the effects range-low and effects range-median. The highest bioaccumulation factors in the water hyacinth were in the roots. Translocation factors showed similar concentrations in stems and leaves. Proper management of sewage is necessary to diminish the potential deleterious effects of metals on aquatic life and by extension, human health.
Gelation of Hole Transport Layer to Improve the Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Ying , Zhou Chenxiao , Lin Lizhi , Pei Fengtao , Xiao Mengqi , Yang Xiaoyan , Yuan Guizhou , Zhu Cheng , Chen Yu , Chen Qi
Published: July 2023

To achieve high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and long-term stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), a hole transport layer (HTL) with persistently high conductivity, good moisture/oxygen barrier ability, and adequate passivation capability is important. To achieve enough conductivity and effective hole extraction, spiro-OMeTAD, one of the most frequently used HTL in optoelectronic devices, often needs chemical doping with a lithium compound (LiTFSI). However, the lithium salt dopant induces crystallization and has a negative impact on the performance and lifetime of the device due to its hygroscopic nature. Here, we provide an easy method for creating a gel by mixing a natural small molecule additive (thioctic acid, TA) with spiro-OMeTAD. We discover that gelation effectively improves the compactness of resultant HTL and prevents moisture and oxygen infiltration. Moreover, the gelation of HTL improves not only the conductivity of spiro-OMeTAD, but also the operational robustness of the devices in the atmospheric environment. In addition, TA passivates the perovskite defects and facilitates the charge transfer from the perovskite layer to HTL. As a consequence, the optimized PSCs based on the gelated HTL exhibit an improved PCE (22.52%) with excellent device stability.
Building wildland–urban interface zone resilience through performance-based wildfire engineering. A holistic theoretical framework
Authors: Tampekis Stergios , Sakellariou Stavros , Palaiologou Palaiologos , Arabatzis Garyfallos , Kantartzis Apostolos , Malesios Chrisovalantis , Stergiadou Anastasia , Fafalis Dimitrios , Tsiaras Evangelos
Published: July 2023

In recent years, a worldwide expansion in the frequency of large, uncontrolled, and catastrophic wildfire events has occurred, creating drastic social, economic, and environmental damage, especially in wildland–urban interface (WUI) zones. This damage includes losses of life, infrastructure, and ecosystem services. The impacts of wildfires at the WUI derive from the complicated and multidimensional interconnected relationships present in the Anthropocene. To enforce resilience of the environment and human communities against wildfires, it is critical to comprehend the local social-ecological systems holistically. In this paper, we present a theoretical framework approach, built on performance-based wildfire engineering, that is envisioned to be a stepping stone towards WUI resilience. To attain this objective, performance benchmarking and design is disaggregated into explicit components of a rigorous mathematical framework. They are linked to a causal inference chain, providing an integrated picture and enabling decision analysis to identify the optimal management strategies based on quantitative parameters. The proposed framework is developed from the total probability theorem and divides the risk assessment into single parts, in particular (1) hazard (wildfire) analysis, (2) social-ecological impact characterization, (3) social-ecological interaction analysis, (4) social-ecological impact analysis, (5) damage analysis, and (6) loss analysis. Therefore, the proposed framework can be applied by emergency agencies directly to assess the performance of society and ecosystem recovery after a wildfire, making emergency management and resilience policy-making more effective.
Effects of insecticides and repellents on the spread of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ under laboratory and field conditions
Authors: Riedle-Bauer Monika , Brader Günter
Published: July 2023

Recent outbreaks of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ resulted in severe losses in potatoes, vegetable crops and grapevines in certain regions of Austria and constituted a major challenge for seed potato production. Therefore, the effects of various insecticides and insect deterrents on pathogen spread were studied both in laboratory and field experiments from 2018 to 2021. In laboratory transmission experiments, field captured Hyalesthes obsoletus were caged on differently treated Catharanthus roseus for five days. The insecticides lambda-cyhalothrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, acetamiprid and chlorpyriphos showed the most rapid impact on insect survival and fully prevented phytoplasma transmission. The particle film forming products kaolin and diatomaceous earth had some effect. A transfer of the promising laboratory results to potato fields, however, was achieved to a limited extent only. Treatments with pyrethroids and acetamiprid every 8–10 days over the flight period of H. obsoletus roughly halved the number of symptomatic plants and tubers in case of moderately susceptible varieties and moderate infection pressure. In the event of susceptible varieties and high disease pressure, treatment effects were hardy discernible. In practical terms, the experiments indicate that insecticide applications alone are not sufficient to mitigate the disease. Spraying of diatomaceous earth and mineral oil did not affect disease incidence in the field.
Sign systems of lust and slavery
Authors: Hanappi Hardy
Published: July 2023

Money is real. Few other objects are perceived with comparable attention. At the same time, its content, its mystery, evaporates behind its physical form. For every commodity producing human society money has been a steady companion since it emerged. (Compare Hanappi 2013a) Money forms, the way in which money took on its material cloth, have changed a lot. Money forms, the blood running through almost all social interaction, have been a mirror, a reflection of the essence of a society’s working. This paper is an attempt to look behind the veil that money forms as sign systems for social value produce. Thus, two concepts are the starting point for the investigation: sign systems and social value. Sign systems are directly coupled to the perceptions of human individuals. More precisely, they are connected to a society’s communication processes, including self-communication, i.e., personal thought. The mystic force of money forms, its resemblance to sexual attraction, derives from its root in direct and blunt relevance for each human individual in a fully developed commodity producing society. It can be redemption, it can be disgust. “Money speaks, wealth whispers” expresses this interface between individual and society and distinguishes how the force of the money form is transmitted. (This part can build on important work done by Alfred Sohn-Rethel 1978, 1990, compare also Ausubel 1968) The first part of the paper will develop a sketch of a theory of this interface, of sign systems as social systems. The second part will then focus on the concept “social value.” The perspective will be changed: what is beneficial from the point of view of the species will be the starting point for a discussion on how it materializes in certain money forms. It turns out that money forms follow an evolutionary trajectory, (Compare Hanappi and Scholz-Wäckerle 2017) leading through alternating stages of contributing to the stabilization of a mode of production and then actively destroying it in revolutionary turning points—just to give birth to a new form of representation of social value. (It is, of course, only a question of naming if this new form should be called a new “money form.”.) Finally, a third part shall provide ideas on the connection between the first two parts: How is desire and pain injected in personal perceptions by the interference of social value loaded money forms and how are vice versa these passions and grievances shaping the potential constellation of social value regulating institutionalized forms in revolutionary times? In conclusion this part will also present some immediate consequences of the theoretical results on contemporary global economic policy.(Compare also Hanappi 2020).
The Biomechanics of Converting Torque into Spin Rate in Spin Bowlers Analyzed with a Smart Cricket Ball
Authors: Fuss Franz Konstantin , Doljin Batdelger , Ferdinands René E. D.
Published: July 2023

Background

In previous studies that analyzed the biomechanics of spin bowling with a smart cricket ball, it was evident that not all the torque applied to the ball was converted into spin rate, with varying losses among different bowlers. This study aims to investigate the factors contributing to these losses.

Methods

Developed in 2011, the world's first intelligent cricket ball features five physical and five skill performance parameters. Our study correlates five skill parameters with the ratio of total torque to spin rate to determine the most influential skill parameter.

Results

The parameter that most affected the conversion of torque to spin rate was the ratio of maximum angular acceleration to maximum angular velocity. Since the unit of the latter ratio is measured in s–1 or Hz, we hypothesized that the duration of a time-window in which the torque is generated could be a factor in determining the effectiveness of torque to spin conversion. Upon closer examination of the data, we discovered that the spin torque (the torque component that boosts the spin rate) generated earlier in relation to the release point led to greater conversion of total torque into spin rate. Paradoxically, this occurred at smaller peak spin torques. As the time-window of the spin torque widens despite its decreasing magnitude, the angular impulse increases.

Conclusions

As the skill parameter calculated from the ratio of maximum angular acceleration to maximum angular velocity correlates well with the time-window during which torque is generated, it can serve as a good indicator of skillful torque to spin conversion, and a potential parameter for talent identification.
Hybrid Defect Prediction Model Based on Counterfactual Feature Optimization
Authors: Zheng Wei , Chen Teng Fei , Hu Mei Ting , Yang Feng Yu , Fan Xin , Xiao Peng
Published: July 2023

Software defect prediction is critical to ensuring software quality. Researchers have worked on building various defect prediction models to improve the performance of defect prediction. Existing defect prediction models are mainly divided into two categories: models constructed based on artificial statistical features and models constructed based on semantic features. DP-CNN [Li J, He P, Zhu J, et al. Software defect prediction via convolutional neural network. In: 2017 IEEE international conference on software quality, reliability and security (QRS). IEEE, 2017; 318–328.] is one of the best defect prediction models, because it combines both artificial statistical features and semantic features, so its performance is greatly improved compared to traditional defect prediction models. This paper is based on the DP-CNN model and makes the following two improvements: first, using a new Struc2vec network representation technique to mine existing information between software modules, which specializes in learning node representations from structural identity and can further extract structural features associated with defects. Let the DP-CNN model once again incorporate the newly mined structural features. Then, this paper proposes a feature selection method based on counterfactual explanations, which can determine the importance score of each feature by the feature change rate of counterfactual samples. The origin of these feature importance scores is interpretable. Under the guidance of these interpretable feature importance scores, better feature subsets can be obtained and used to optimize artificial statistical features within the DP-CNN model. Based on the above methods, this paper proposes a new hybrid defect prediction model DPS-CNN-STR. Evaluating our model on six open source projects in terms of F1 score in defect prediction. Experimental results show that DPS-CNN-STR improves the state-of-the-art method by an average of 3.3%.
In the Wake of Bonsucro: Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives and Third-Party Certifiers at the Test Bench of OECD National Contact Points
Authors: Corcione Elena
Published: July 2023

In January 2022, the UK National Contact Point (UK NCP) issued a final statement in a specific instance claim brought against Bonsucro, a multi-stakeholder initiative (MSI) that aims to promote sustainable production of sugarcane. The claim alleged that Bonsucro had failed to comply with the OECD Guidelines because it had not carried out appropriate due diligence towards one of its members, accused of human rights abuses. While NCP complaints had been brought against MSIs and certifiers before, the UK NCP’s final statement is the first to recognize the leverage MSIs have over members due to their ability to deny membership and related reputational benefits to companies wishing to show sustainability logos, and to affirm their responsibility to use this leverage to avoid abuses. The statement sheds light on the accountability of actors involved in private voluntary sustainability standard systems, with possible impacts on other actors such as third-party certifiers.
Implementing diagnostic stewardship to improve diagnosis of urinary tract infections across three medical centers: A qualitative assessment
Authors: Claeys Kimberly C. , Weston Lauren E. , Pineles Lisa , Morgan Daniel J. , Krein Sarah L.
Published: July 2023

Background:

Urine-culture diagnostic stewardship aims to decrease misdiagnosis of urinary tract infections (UTIs); however, these interventions are not widely adopted. We examined UTI diagnosis and management practices to identify barriers to and facilitators of diagnostic stewardship implementation.

Methods:

Using a qualitative descriptive design, we conducted semistructured interviews at 3 Veterans’ Affairs medical centers. Interviews were conducted between November 2021 and May 2022 via Zoom videoconferencing using an interview guide and visual prototypes of proposed interventions. Interviewees were asked about current practices and thoughts on proposed interventions for urine-culture ordering, processing, and reporting. We used a rapid analysis matrix approach to summarize key interview findings and compare practices and perceptions across sites.

Results:

We interviewed 31 stakeholders and end users. All sites had an antimicrobial stewardship program but limited initiatives targeting appropriate diagnosis and management of UTIs. The majority of those interviewed identified the importance of diagnostic stewardship. Perceptions of specific interventions ranged widely by site. For urine-culture ordering, all 3 sites agreed that documentation of symptomology would improve culturing practices but did not want it to interrupt workflow. Representatives at 2 sites expressed interest in conditional urine-culture processing and 1 was opposed. All sites had similar mechanisms to report culture results but varied in perceptions of the proposed interventions. Feedback from end users was used to develop a general diagnostic stewardship implementation checklist.

Conclusion:

Interviewees thought diagnostic stewardship was important. Qualitative assessment involving key stakeholders in the UTI diagnostic process improved understanding of site-specific beliefs and practices to better implement interventions for urine-culture ordering, processing, and reporting.
Taxation, Lactation, and Validation: The Symbolic Power of Tax Law to Legitimize Breast Milk Expression
Authors: Hoffmann Elizabeth A.
Published: July 2023

In 2011, the Internal Revenue Service reversed a previous regulation that excluded lactation supplies, including breast pumps, from medical care tax benefits. This policy change was met with joy by some working mothers. Often torn between family needs and workplace duties, these lactating employees struggled with trying to be a “good worker” and a “good mother.” They saw the new tax law as validation of their efforts to express milk at work and legitimation for the accommodations they required. They felt that even an area of law as technical and complex as tax law could recognize their commitment to combining breastfeeding and employment. However, the women recognized that the law only facilitated greater ability to lactate but not more time with their babies, which they greatly wanted. Indeed, this article asks if breast pumps and supplies would even be an issue for many women if the United States provided women with the more extensive maternity leave that workers in other developed countries receive.
“Fit to Be a Midwife”: Protestantism, Moral Character, and the State Supervision of Black Lay Midwives, 1931–1946
Authors: Drake Jamil W.
Published: July 2023

Scholars of religion and medicine have discussed the rise of scientific birthing while also capturing the significance of religion among Black midwives in the American South. Yet they have seldom discussed the place of Protestantism and African American Protestantism in state-sponsored midwifery programs for Black women in the twentieth century. This essay focuses on the 1945–1946 Leon County “Plan for Improving the Midwife Service Program” in North Florida to argue how state health workers promoted Black religion to determine the moral fitness of Black women to practice midwifery in their communities. Black religion was incorporated into the regulatory scheme of the health state. Using primary documents from state archives, this paper adds to the history of African American religion and medicine by demonstrating that African American Protestantism was integral to the state health apparatus and consequently used to legitimate the authority of modern obstetrics for Black communities in the Depression and World War II periods.
Modulation of Democracy: Partisan Communication During and After Election Campaigns
Authors: Castanho Silva Bruno , Schürmann Lennart , Proksch Sven-Oliver
Published: July 2023

It is well known that politicians speak differently when campaigning. The shadow of elections may affect candidates' change in tone during campaigns. However, to date, we lack a systematic study of the changes in communication patterns between campaign and non-campaign periods. In this study, we examine the sentiment expressed in 4.3 million tweets posted by members of national parliaments in the EU27 from 2018 to 2020. Our results show that (1) the opposition, even populists and Eurosceptics, send more positive messages during campaigns, (2) parties trailing in the polls communicate more negatively, and (3) that the changes are similar in national and European elections. These findings show the need to look beyond campaign times to understand parties' appeals and highlight the promises of social media data to move beyond traditional analyses of manifestos and speeches.
Diet composition, diel feeding periodicity and daily ration of mature adultDiaphus fulgens(Teleostei: Myctophidae) in the Kuroshio waters
Authors: Sassa Chiyuki , Takahashi Motomitsu , Tsukamoto Youichi
Published: July 2023

Diaphus fulgensis a diel vertical migrant myctophid, occurring abundantly in the Kuroshio waters of the East China Sea. They are multiple batch spawners with a short interspawn period, resulting in high egg productivity. Multiple spawning would be supported by feeding during their spawning season; however, there is no information on the feeding habits of this species. The present study examined the diet composition, diel feeding periodicity and daily ration of mature adultD. fulgenscollected at different periods of the day during February to March. The most prevalent item was appendicularians and their mucus houses, which dominated the stomach contents in both number and weight. Additionally, various species of copepods were predated, with a prevalence, by weight, of the large-sizedPleuromamma piseki.Diaphus fulgensfeeds actively in the epipelagic layer at night and moves down to the mesopelagic layer in the early morning, and digests most of the consumed food by the late afternoon, showing a typical nocturnal feeding pattern. Based on diel changes in the stomach content index and instantaneous gastric evacuation rate estimated in this study (0.118–0.129 h−1), the daily ration was calculated to be 4.0–4.2% of body weight, equivalent to a daily caloric intake of 21.2–22.3 cal day−1. Since the caloric value to produce a batch of oocytes was estimated to be 8.2–11.5 cal day−1, on an energetic basis,D. fulgenscan maintain the multiple spawning at a cost of approximately 37–54% of its daily caloric intake.
A SIMPLIFIED PROOF OF THE EPSILON THEOREMS
Authors: HETZL STEFAN
Published: July 2023

We formulate Hilbert’s epsilon calculus in the context of expansion proofs. This leads to a simplified proof of the epsilon theorems by disposing of the need for prenexification, Skolemisation, and their respective inverse transformations. We observe that the natural notion of cut in the epsilon calculus is associative.
Impacts of Synoptic Patterns and Meteorological Factors on Distribution Trends of Ozone in Southeast China During 2015–2020
Authors: Ji Xiaoting , Hong Youwei , Lin Yiling , Xu Ke , Chen Gaojie , Liu Taotao , Xu Lingling , Li Mengren , Fan Xiaolong , Wang Hong , Zhang Hongliang , Chen Yuping , Yang Chen , Lin Ziyi , Chen Jinsheng
Published: July 2023

Surface ozone (O3) pollution under global climate change has become one of the top environmental issues. In this study, we focused on the coastal region in Southeast China with relatively low O3 precursor's emissions and complicated synoptic conditions, where the O3 trends and meteorological contributions remain unclear. An increasing trend of O3 concentrations in the cities (0.3–4.6 μg m−3 yr−1) from 2015 to 2020 was observed. Twenty‐three synoptic patterns were clustered based on weather typing method, in which cyclone‐related types and southwesterly type were generally associated with low O3 concentrations, and high O3 levels occurred with anticyclone‐related types. Considering both frequency and intensity of synoptic patterns, reconstructed O3 series captured 46.0%–58.3% of the observed variability. Using Kolmogorov‐Zurbenko filter, an increasing trend of long‐term O3 was found. By implementing the multiple linear regression model between O3 concentrations and meteorological factors, the meteorological contributions to O3 variabilities (44.7%–66.1%) were quantified. The results indicated the meteorological conditions were particularly important in O3 pollution with the reductions of O3 precursor's emissions, among which relative humidity, boundary layer height, solar radiation along with low cloud cover were proved to play important roles. The weakening southwest winds along with more anti‐cyclone systems under climate change could increase surface O3. This study elucidated the crucial meteorological drivers on the O3 variability in relatively clean areas and implied the challenges for local governments to mitigate O3 pollution under global climate change.
Where should siRNAs go: applicable organs for siRNA drugs
Authors: Ahn Insook , Kang Chanhee S. , Han Jinju
Published: July 2023

RNA interference mediated by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) has been exploited for the development of therapeutics. siRNAs can be a powerful therapeutic tool because the working mechanisms of siRNAs are straightforward. siRNAs determine targets based on their sequence and specifically regulate the gene expression of the target gene. However, efficient delivery of siRNAs to the target organ has long been an issue that needs to be solved. Tremendous efforts regarding siRNA delivery have led to significant progress in siRNA drug development, and from 2018 to 2022, a total of five siRNA drugs were approved for the treatment of patients. Although all FDA-approved siRNA drugs target the hepatocytes of the liver, siRNA-based drugs targeting different organs are in clinical trials. In this review, we introduce siRNA drugs in the market and siRNA drug candidates in clinical trials that target cells in multiple organs. The liver, eye, and skin are the preferred organs targeted by siRNAs. Three or more siRNA drug candidates are in phase 2 or 3 clinical trials to suppress gene expression in these preferred organs. On the other hand, the lungs, kidneys, and brain are challenging organs with relatively few clinical trials. We discuss the characteristics of each organ related to the advantages and disadvantages of siRNA drug targeting and strategies to overcome the barriers in delivering siRNAs based on organ-specific siRNA drugs that have progressed to clinical trials.
Emerging roles of tRNA-derived small RNAs in cancer biology
Authors: Lee Saebyeol , Kim Jungeun , Valdmanis Paul N. , Kim Hak Kyun
Published: July 2023

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) play an essential role in mRNA translation by delivering amino acids to growing polypeptide chains. Recent data demonstrate that tRNAs can be cleaved by ribonucleases, and the resultant cleavage products, tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs), have crucial roles in physiological and pathological conditions. They are classified into more than six types according to their size and cleavage positions. Since the initial discovery of the physiological functions of tsRNAs more than a decade ago, accumulating data have demonstrated that tsRNAs play critical roles in gene regulation and tumorigenesis. These tRNA-derived molecules have various regulatory functions at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational levels. More than a hundred types of modifications are found on tRNAs, affecting the biogenesis, stability, function, and biochemical properties of tsRNA. Both oncogenic and tumor suppressor functions have been reported for tsRNAs, which play important roles in the development and progression of various cancers. Abnormal expression patterns and modification of tsRNAs are associated with various diseases, including cancer and neurological disorders. In this review, we will describe the biogenesis, versatile gene regulation mechanisms, and modification-mediated regulation mechanisms of tsRNA as well as the expression patterns and potential therapeutic roles of tsRNAs in various cancers.
Gas-assisted microfluidic step-emulsification for generating micron- and submicron-sized droplets
Authors: Huang Biao , Ge Xinjin , Rubinstein Boris Y. , Chen Xianchun , Wang Lu , Xie Huiying , Leshansky Alexander M. , Li Zhenzhen
Published: July 2023

Micron- and submicron-sized droplets have extensive applications in biomedical diagnosis and drug delivery. Moreover, accurate high-throughput analysis requires a uniform droplet size distribution and high production rates. Although the previously reported microfluidic coflow step-emulsification method can be used to generate highly monodispersed droplets, the droplet diameter (d) is constrained by the microchannel height (b), $$d\gtrsim 3b$$

d
≳
3
b

, while the production rate is limited by the maximum capillary number of the step-emulsification regime, impeding emulsification of highly viscous liquids. In this paper, we report a novel, gas-assisted coflow step-emulsification method, where air serves as the innermost phase of a precursor hollow-core air/oil/water emulsion. Air gradually diffuses out, producing oil droplets. The size of the hollow-core droplets and the ultrathin oil layer thickness both follow the scaling laws of triphasic step-emulsification. The minimal droplet size attains $$d\approx 1.7b$$

d
≈
1.7
b

, inaccessible in standard all-liquid biphasic step-emulsification. The production rate per single channel is an order-of-magnitude higher than that in the standard all-liquid biphasic step-emulsification and is also superior to alternative emulsification methods. Due to low gas viscosity, the method can also be used to generate micron- and submicron-sized droplets of high-viscosity fluids, while the inert nature of the auxiliary gas offers high versatility.
Roles of macrophages in tumor development: a spatiotemporal perspective
Authors: Bied Mathilde , Ho William W. , Ginhoux Florent , Blériot Camille
Published: July 2023

Macrophages are critical regulators of tissue homeostasis but are also abundant in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In both primary tumors and metastases, such tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) seem to support tumor development. While we know that TAMs are the dominant immune cells in the TME, their vast heterogeneity and associated functions are only just being unraveled. In this review, we outline the various known TAM populations found thus far and delineate their specialized roles associated with the main stages of cancer progression. We discuss how macrophages may prime the premetastatic niche to enable the growth of a metastasis and then how subsequent metastasis-associated macrophages can support secondary tumor growth. Finally, we speculate on the challenges that remain to be overcome in TAM research.
Quantum simulation of exact electron dynamics can be more efficient than classical mean-field methods
Authors: Babbush Ryan , Huggins William J. , Berry Dominic W. , Ung Shu Fay , Zhao Andrew , Reichman David R. , Neven Hartmut , Baczewski Andrew D. , Lee Joonho
Published: July 2023

Quantum algorithms for simulating electronic ground states are slower than popular classical mean-field algorithms such as Hartree–Fock and density functional theory but offer higher accuracy. Accordingly, quantum computers have been predominantly regarded as competitors to only the most accurate and costly classical methods for treating electron correlation. However, here we tighten bounds showing that certain first-quantized quantum algorithms enable exact time evolution of electronic systems with exponentially less space and polynomially fewer operations in basis set size than conventional real-time time-dependent Hartree–Fock and density functional theory. Although the need to sample observables in the quantum algorithm reduces the speedup, we show that one can estimate all elements of the k-particle reduced density matrix with a number of samples scaling only polylogarithmically in basis set size. We also introduce a more efficient quantum algorithm for first-quantized mean-field state preparation that is likely cheaper than the cost of time evolution. We conclude that quantum speedup is most pronounced for finite-temperature simulations and suggest several practically important electron dynamics problems with potential quantum advantage.
Fluid-assisted grain size reduction leads to strain localization in oceanic transform faults
Authors: Bickert Manon , Kaczmarek Mary-Alix , Brunelli Daniele , Maia Marcia , Campos Thomas F. C. , Sichel Susanna E.
Published: July 2023

Oceanic Transform Faults are major plate boundaries representing the most seismogenic part of the mid ocean ridge system. Nonetheless, their structure and deformation mechanisms at depth are largely unknown due to rare exposures of deep sections. Here we study the mineral fabric of deformed mantle peridotites - ultramafic mylonites - collected from the transpressive Atobá ridge, along the northern fault of the St. Paul transform system in the Equatorial Atlantic Ocean. We show that, at pressure and temperature conditions of the lower oceanic lithosphere, the dominant deformation mechanism is fluid-assisted dissolution-precipitation creep. Grain size reduction during deformation is enhanced by dissolution of coarser pyroxene grains in presence of fluid and contextual precipitation of small interstitial ones, leading to strain localization at lower stresses than dislocation creep. This mechanism potentially represents the dominant weakening factor in the oceanic lithosphere and a main driver for the onset and maintenance of oceanic transform faults.
Observation of flat band, Dirac nodal lines and topological surface states in Kagome superconductor CsTi3Bi5
Authors: Yang Jiangang , Yi Xinwei , Zhao Zhen , Xie Yuyang , Miao Taimin , Luo Hailan , Chen Hao , Liang Bo , Zhu Wenpei , Ye Yuhan , You Jing-Yang , Gu Bo , Zhang Shenjin , Zhang Fengfeng , Yang Feng , Wang Zhimin , Peng Qinjun , Mao Hanqing , Liu Guodong , Xu Zuyan , Chen Hui , Yang Haitao , Su Gang , Gao Hongjun , Zhao Lin , Zhou X. J.
Published: July 2023

Kagome lattices of various transition metals are versatile platforms for achieving anomalous Hall effects, unconventional charge-density wave orders and quantum spin liquid phenomena due to the strong correlations, spin-orbit coupling and/or magnetic interactions involved in such a lattice. Here, we use laser-based angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy in combination with density functional theory calculations to investigate the electronic structure of the newly discovered kagome superconductor CsTi3Bi5, which is isostructural to the AV3Sb5(A = K, Rb or Cs) kagome superconductor family and possesses a two-dimensional kagome network of titanium. We directly observe a striking flat band derived from the local destructive interference of Bloch wave functions within the kagome lattice. In agreement with calculations, we identify type-II and type-III Dirac nodal lines and their momentum distribution in CsTi3Bi5from the measured electronic structures. In addition, around the Brillouin zone centre,$${{\mathbb{Z}}}_{2}$$Z2nontrivial topological surface states are also observed due to band inversion mediated by strong spin-orbit coupling.