bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards Faster Deep Graph Clustering via Efficient Graph Auto-Encoder
Authors: Ding Shifei , Wu Benyu , Ding Ling , Xu Xiao , Guo Lili , Liao Hongmei , Wu Xindong
Published: June 2024

Deep graph clustering (DGC) has been a promising method for clustering graph data in recent years. However, existing research primarily focuses on optimizing clustering outcomes by improving the quality of embedded representations, resulting in slow-speed complex models. Additionally, these methods do not consider changes in node similarity and corresponding adjustments in the original structure during the iterative optimization process after updating node embeddings, which easily falls into the representation collapse issue. We introduce an Efficient Graph Auto-Encoder (EGAE) and a dynamic graph weight updating strategy to address these issues, forming the basis for our proposed Fast DGC (FastDGC) network. Specifically, we significantly reduce feature dimensions using a linear transformation that preserves the original node similarity. We then employ a single-layer graph convolutional filtering approximation to replace multiple layers of graph convolutional neural network, reducing computational complexity and parameter count. During iteration, we calculate the similarity between nodes using the linearly transformed features and periodically update the original graph structure to reduce edges with low similarity, thereby enhancing the learning of discriminative and cohesive representations. Theoretical analysis confirms that EGAE has lower computational complexity. Extensive experiments on standard datasets demonstrate that our proposed method improves clustering performance and achieves a speedup of 2–3 orders of magnitude compared to state-of-the-art methods, showcasing outstanding performance. The code for our model is available at
https://github.com/Marigoldwu/FastDGC
. Furthermore, we have organized a portion of the DGC code into a unified framework, available at
https://github.com/Marigoldwu/A-Unified-Framework-for-Deep-Attribute-Graph-Clustering
.
Toward Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (TAI) in the Context of Explainability and Robustness
Authors: chander Bhanu , John Chinju , Warrier Lekha , Gopalakrishnan Kumaravelan
Published: June 2024

From the innovation, Artificial Intelligence (AI) materialized as one of the noticeable research areas in various technologies and has almost expanded into every aspect of modern human life. However, nowadays, the development of AI is unpredictable with the stated values of those developing them; hence, the risk of misbehaving AI increases continuously. Therefore, there are uncertainties about endorsing that the development and deploying of AI are favorable and not unfavorable to humankind. In addition, AI holds a black-box pattern, which results in a lack of understanding of how systems can work based on the raised concerns. From the above discussion, trustworthy AI is vital for the extensive adoption of AI in many applications, with strong attention to humankind and the need to focus on AI systems developing into the system outline at the time of system design. In this survey, we discuss compound materials on trustworthy AI and the present state-of-the-art of trustworthy AI technologies, revealing new perspectives, bridging knowledge gaps, and paving the way for potential advances of robustness, and explainability rules which play a proactive role in designing AI systems. Systems that are reliable and secure and mimic human behavior significantly impact the technological AI ecosystem. We provide various contemporary technologies to build explainability and robustness for AI-based solutions, so AI works in a safer and more trustworthy manner. Finally, we conclude our survey article with high-end opportunities, challenges, and future research directions for trustworthy AI to investigate in the future.
A Deep Learning Model Based on the Introduction of Attention Mechanism is Used to Predict Lithium-Ion Battery SOC
Authors: Lei Wenbo , Gu Xiaoyong , Zhou Liyuan
Published: June 2024

In order to enhance the accuracy of state of charge (SOC) prediction for lithium-ion batteries, this paper developed a deep learning model optimized by slime mold algorithm (SMA). This model combines convolutional neural networks, bidirectional gated recurrent units, and attention mechanisms. Through SMA optimization of critical parameters in the model, the predictive performance has been significantly improved. In the experimental phase, the paper collected discharge data from an 18650 battery pack under 8 different operating conditions, totaling 10596 sets of data. These data were used to fully train and validate the model. The test results show that the new model demonstrates exceptional accuracy in SOC prediction, with average absolute error, root mean square error, and mean absolute percentage error reaching 0.46462%, 0.56406%, and 6.8028%, respectively. Moreover, the decision coefficient R reaches 0.962. This result not only surpasses single models and unoptimized models but also provides important technical support for improving the battery life and driving range of electric vehicles.
Proteolytic degradation of atrial sarcomere proteins underlies contractile defects in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Cizauskas Hannah E. , Burnham Hope V. , Panni Azaria , Peña Alexandra , Alvarez-Arce Alejandro , Davis M. Therese , Araujo Kelly N. , Delligatti Christine E. , Edassery Seby , Kirk Jonathan A. , Arora Rishi , Barefield David Y.
Published: June 2024

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac rhythm disorder, and remodeling during atrial fibrillation is highly variable between patients. This study has defined the biophysical changes in contractility that occur in atrial fibrillation along with identifying potential molecular mechanisms that may drive this remodeling. This includes proteolysis of several myofilament proteins including titin, troponin I, myosin heavy chain, myosin binding protein C, and actinin, which is consistent with the observed contractile deficits.
Design of CMOS Tunable Image‐Rejection Low‐Noise Amplifier with Active Inductor
Authors: Chun Lee Ler , bin A′ain Abu Khari , Kordesch Albert Victor
Published: June 2024

A fully integrated CMOS tunable image‐rejection low‐noise amplifier (IRLNA) has been designed using Silterra′s industry standard 0.18 μm RF CMOS process. The notch filter is designed using an active inductor. Measurement results show that the notch filter designed using active inductor contributes additional 1.19 dB to the noise figure of the low‐noise amplifier (LNA). A better result is possible if the active inductor is optimized. Since active inductors require less die area, the die area occupied by the IRLNA is not significantly different from a conventional LNA, which was designed for comparison. The proposed IRLNA exhibits S21 of 11.8 dB, S11 of −17.8 dB, S22 of −10.7 dB, and input 1 dB compression point of −12 dBm at 3 GHz
Insulin Resistance in Pediatric Obesity: From Mechanisms to Treatment Strategies
Authors: Luo Yu , Luo Dan , Li Maojun , Tang Binzhi
Published: June 2024

Insulin resistance, an increasingly prevalent characteristic among children and adolescents with obesity, is now recognized as a significant contributor to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and other metabolic diseases in individuals with obesity. Insulin resistance refers to a decrease in the sensitivity of peripheral tissues (primarily skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and liver) to insulin, which is mainly characterized by impaired glucose uptake and utilization. Although the mechanisms underlying insulin resistance in children with obesity remain incompletely elucidated, several risk factors including lipid metabolism disorders, oxidative stress (OS), mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and genetic factors have been identified as pivotal contributors to the pathogenesis of obesity‐related insulin resistance. In this review, we comprehensively analyze relevant literature and studies to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of insulin resistance in childhood obesity. Additionally, we discuss treatment strategies for pediatric obesity from a perspective centered on improving insulin sensitivity, aiming to provide valuable insights for the prevention and management of pediatric obesity.
5D Hyperchaotic Image Encryption Scheme Based on Fibonacci Q‐Matrix
Authors: Biban Geeta , Chugh Renu , Panwar Anju , Sajid Mohammad
Published: June 2024

This article proposed an image encryption scheme along a novel five‐dimensional hyperchaotic system and a Fibonacci Q‐matrix (FQ‐matrix) for gray images. This designed algorithm follows two key stages: the confusion stage and the diffusion stage. In the confusion step and diffusion step, the placement of the plain image pixels is replaced by a 5D hyperchaotic map and pixel values are changed using the FQ‐matrix, respectively. The fortitude of the designed encryption scheme is concluded by countering the algorithm on statistical analysis like histogram analysis, chi‐square test, correlation coefficient analysis, information entropy analysis, differential attacks (NPCR, UACI), and NIST suite test. The produced algorithm’s experimental evaluation indicates that the entropy, NPCR, and UACI values tend to be ideal values. The numerous analyses indicate that the proposed algorithm has a lot of characteristics like the low correlation of adjacent cipher pixels, strong security, and large key space, which can give high confidentiality in image data.
Supplementary Data from First-line Avelumab plus Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors: Results from the Phase Ib/II JAVELIN Chemotherapy Medley Study
Authors: Wheatley Duncan A. , Berardi Rossana , Climent Duran Miguel A. , Tomiak Anna , Greystoke Alastair P. , Joshua Anthony M. , Arkenau Hendrik-Tobias , Géczi Lajos , Corbacho Javier Garciá , Paz-Ares Luis G. , Hussain Syed A. , Petruželka Lubos , Delmonte Angelo , Chappey Colombe , Masters Joanna C. , Michelon Elisabete , Murphy Danielle A. , Mwewa Sandrine , Cesari Rossano , Doger de Spéville Bernard
Published: June 2024

Supplementary Table 1
Data from First-line Avelumab plus Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors: Results from the Phase Ib/II JAVELIN Chemotherapy Medley Study
Authors: Wheatley Duncan A. , Berardi Rossana , Climent Duran Miguel A. , Tomiak Anna , Greystoke Alastair P. , Joshua Anthony M. , Arkenau Hendrik-Tobias , Géczi Lajos , Corbacho Javier Garciá , Paz-Ares Luis G. , Hussain Syed A. , Petruželka Lubos , Delmonte Angelo , Chappey Colombe , Masters Joanna C. , Michelon Elisabete , Murphy Danielle A. , Mwewa Sandrine , Cesari Rossano , Doger de Spéville Bernard
Published: June 2024

AbstractPurpose:
Chemotherapy can potentially enhance the activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors by promoting immune priming. The phase Ib/II JAVELIN Chemotherapy Medley trial (NCT03317496) evaluated first-line avelumab + concurrent chemotherapy in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma or non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Materials and Methods:
Avelumab 800 or 1,200 mg was administered continuously every 3 weeks with standard doses of cisplatin + gemcitabine in patients with urothelial carcinoma, or carboplatin + pemetrexed in patients with nonsquamous NSCLC. Dual primary endpoints were dose-limiting toxicity (DLT; phase Ib) and confirmed objective response (phase Ib/II).
Results:
In phase Ib, urothelial carcinoma and NSCLC cohorts received avelumab 800 mg (n = 13 and n = 6, respectively) or 1,200 mg (n = 6 each) + chemotherapy. In evaluable patients with urothelial carcinoma treated with avelumab 800 or 1,200 mg + chemotherapy, DLT occurred in 1/12 (8.3%) and 1/6 (16.7%), respectively; no DLT occurred in the NSCLC cohort. In phase II, 35 additional patients with urothelial carcinoma received avelumab 1,200 mg + chemotherapy. Across all treated patients, safety profiles were similar irrespective of avelumab dose. Objective response rates (95% confidence internal) with avelumab 800 or 1,200 mg + chemotherapy, respectively, across phase Ib/II, were 53.8% (25.1–80.8) and 39.0% (24.2–55.5) in urothelial carcinoma, and 50.0% (11.8–88.2) and 33.3% (4.3–77.7) in NSCLC.
Conclusions:
Preliminary efficacy and safety findings with avelumab + chemotherapy in urothelial carcinoma and NSCLC were consistent with previous studies of similar combination regimens. Conclusions about clinical activity are limited by small patient numbers.
Significance:
This phase Ib/II trial evaluated avelumab (immune checkpoint inhibitor) administered concurrently with standard first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma or advanced nonsquamous NSCLC without actionable mutations. Efficacy and safety appeared consistent with previous studies of similar combinations, although patient numbers were small.
Poly(Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid) Microparticles for the Delivery of Model Drug Compounds for Applications in Vascular Tissue Engineering
Authors: Wyse Jordyn M. , Sullivan Bryan A. , Lopez Priscilla , Guda Teja , Rathbone Christopher R. , Wechsler Marissa E.
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Localized delivery of angiogenesis-promoting factors such as small molecules, nucleic acids, peptides, and proteins to promote the repair and regeneration of damaged tissues remains a challenge in vascular tissue engineering. Current delivery methods such as direct administration of therapeutics can fail to maintain the necessary sustained release profile and often rely on supraphysiologic doses to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. By implementing a microparticle delivery system, localized delivery can be coupled with sustained and controlled release to mitigate the risks involved with the high dosages currently required from direct therapeutic administration. Methods: For this purpose, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles were fabricated via anti-solvent microencapsulation and the loading, release, and delivery of model angiogenic molecules, specifically a small molecule, nucleic acid, and protein, were assessed in vitro using microvascular fragments (MVFs). Results: The microencapsulation approach utilized enabled rapid spherical particle formation and encapsulation of model drugs of different sizes, all in one method. The addition of a fibrin scaffold, required for the culture of the MVFs, reduced the initial burst of model drugs observed in release profiles from PLGA alone. Lastly, in vitro studies using MVFs demonstrated that higher concentrations of microparticles led to greater co-localization of the model therapeutic (miRNA) with MVFs, which is vital for targeted delivery methods. It was also found that the biodistribution of miRNA using the delivered microparticle system was enhanced compared to direct administration. Conclusion: Overall, PLGA microparticles, formulated and loaded with model therapeutic compounds in one step, resulted in improved biodistribution in a model of the vasculature leading to a future in translational revascularization.
Causal histories of psychological factors and cancer: from psychosomatic medicine to neuroimmunomodulation
Authors: Anastassis Iota , Konsman Jan Pieter
Published: June 2024

Background: Establishing causal relationships is essential in biology and medicine. However, various notions of causality have been operationalized at different times in various fields of the life and health sciences. While this is expected from a history or sociology of science point of view, as different accounts may correspond to what is valued in terms of establishing causal relationship at different times as well as in different fields of biology and medicine, this may come as a surprise for a present-day actor in those fields. If, over time, causal accounts have not been fully dismissed, then they are likely to invite to some form of, potentially salutary, explanatory pluralism.
Summary: In the decades following WWII, psychosomatic medicine could propose that psychological factors cause somatic diseases. But today, most of medicine has to meet the standard of a randomized clinical trial before any causal relationship can be proposed. Instead, in biology, mechanisms seem to be the most-valued causal discourse to explain how phenomena of interest are brought about. Here, the focus will be on how psychoneuroimmunology, an interdisciplinary research field addressing interactions between the nervous system and immune system, and between behavior and health, has considered causal relationships between psychological factors and cancer.
Key Messages: When it comes to causal explanations of links between psychological factors and cancer, psychoneuroimmunology is invited to consider the question of the directionality of these links as well as what and how factors causally contribute to cancer.
Failure Prediction of High-Flow Nasal Cannula at the Conventional Oxygen Therapy Phase in the Emergency Department
Authors: Kang Younghoon , Jung Hae Min , Chung Sung Phil , Chung Hyun Soo , Cho Yongtak
Published: June 2024

Introduction: The use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure has been increasing in the emergency department (ED). However, studies are lacking on the prediction of HFNC failure before therapy initiation in the ED. We investigated whether the existing indices, such as the ratio of pulse oximetry oxygen saturation/fraction of inspired oxygen to respiratory rate (ROX) and ratio of ROX index to heart rate (ROX-HR), can accurately predict HFNC failure at the conventional oxygen therapy phase in the ED. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included patients treated with HFNC in the ED. The ROX and ROX-HR indices were calculated before initiating HFNC. An estimated fraction of inspired oxygen was used for conventional oxygen therapy. We plotted each index’s receiver operating characteristics curve and calculated the area under the curve (AUC) for diagnostic capacity. The optimal cutoff values were assessed using the Youden index. The primary outcome was HFNC failure, defined as intubation in the ED. Results: Among the 97 included patients, 25 (25.8%) failed HFNC therapy in the ED. The ROX and ROX-HR indices measured before initiating HFNC showed AUCs of 0.709 and 0.754, respectively. A ROX index of <5.614 and a ROX-HR index of <6.152 were associated with a high risk of intubation, even after correcting for confounding variables. Conclusion: The ROX and ROX-HR indices measured before initiating HFNC provide a relatively fair predictive value of HFNC failure in the ED.
An experimental evaluation of substrate type and color selection by the endangered salamander Ambystoma altamirani (Caudata: Ambystomatidae)
Authors: Sánchez-Sánchez Renato , Méndez-Méndez Olga , Smith Geoffrey R. , Lemos-Espinal Julio A.
Published: June 2024

Os habitats de riacho das salamandras do gênero Ambystoma no México estão sendo degradados pelas atividades humanas, o que pode ter efeitos prejudiciais sobre suas populações. Assim, é importante compreender melhor o uso de habitas e micro-habitatas por parte desses anfíbios. Utilizamos experimentos de preferência para examinar a seleção do tipo (cascalho, lama, areia e pedra) e da cor (castanho-escuro, castanho, castanho-claro e cinzento) do substrato pela salamandra A. altamirani, uma espécie endêmica e ameaçada de extinção. Ambystoma altamirani utilizou mais os substratos de lama do que os outros tipos. De modo geral, A. altamirani não mostrou preferência pela cor do substrato; no entanto, as fêmeas usaram substratos castanhos claros com mais frequência e substratos cinzentos com menos frequência do que os machos e os juvenis. Esses resultados experimentais são consistentes com o uso do tipo de substrato observado em A. altamirani no campo, mas a ausência de preferência pela cor do substrato difere da preferência por substratos marrons escuros observada no campo.
Plasticity of metamorphic traits of tadpoles of Rana chensinensis (Anura: Ranidae): interactive effects of food level and water exchange
Authors: Shi Wen H. , Li Hai Y. , Shen Xiao Q. , Yu Tong L.
Published: June 2024

Na natureza, as condições ambientais podem afetar fortemente a variação morfológica, especialmente em animais com ciclos de vida complexos, como os anfíbios. Embora o nível de alimento e a troca de água tenham um forte efeito nas características metamórficas das larvas, pouco se sabe sobre os efeitos da interação entre ambos os fatores na duração do período larval e no tamanho na metamorfose. Neste estudo, avaliamos a plasticidade das características metamórficas da rã-castanha-chinesa (Rana chensinensis) sob diferentes combinações de níveis de alimento e troca de água. A idade e a massa na metamorfose foram susceptíveis ao nível de alimento e variaram com a troca de água. Níveis elevados de alimento podem levar a períodos larvais mais curtos, exceto com trocas de água semanais. Além disso, com níveis baixos de alimento, os girinos com trocas frequentes de água (renovada cada 2 dias) atingiram um tamanho maior do que os girinos com outros tratamentos de trocas de água. Os efeitos das mudanças de água dependeram do nível de alimento. Nossos resultados também demonstraram que a troca frequente de água e níveis elevados de alimento têm efeitos positivos sobre a sobrevivência dos girinos da rã-castanha-chinesa. Encontramos uma interação significativa entre o nível de alimento e a troca de água, o que sugere que este novo mecanismo é selecionado quando a troca frequente de água é suscetível de ser proveitosa quando o alimento é insuficiente ou quando há estresse ambiental.
Temporal Association Between Atrial Fibrillation Burden in Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices and the Risk of Heart Failure Hospitalization
Authors: Ahluwalia Nikhil , Koehler Jodi , Sarkar Shantanu , Vasudevan Neethu , Majumder Shubha , Landman Sean R. , Schilling Richard J.
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND:

Atrial fibrillation (AF) events in cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are temporally associated with stroke risk. This study explores temporal differences in AF burden associated with HF hospitalization risk in patients with CIEDs.

METHODS:

Patients with HF events from the Optum de-identified Electronic Health Records from 2007 to 2021 and 120 days of preceding CIED-derived rhythm data from a linked manufacturer’s data warehouse were included. AF burden ≥5.5 h/d was defined as an AF event. The AF event burden in the case period (days 1–30 immediately before the HF event) was considered temporally associated with the HF event and compared with the AF event burden in a temporally dissociated control period (days 91–120 before the HF event). The odds ratio for temporally associated HF events and the odds ratio associated with poorly rate-controlled AF (>110 bpm) were calculated.

RESULTS:

In total, 7257 HF events with prerequisite CIED data were included; 957 (13.2%) patients had AF events recorded only in either their case (763 [10.5%]) or control (194 [2.7%]) periods, but not both. The odds ratio for a temporally associated HF event was 3.93 (95% CI, 3.36–4.60). This was greater for an HF event with a longer stay of >3 days (odds ratio, 4.51 [95% CI, 3.57–5.68]). In patients with AF during both the control and case periods, poor AF rate control during the case period also increased HF event risk (1.78 [95% CI, 1.22–2.61]). In all, 222 of 4759 (5%) patients without AF events before their HF event had an AF event in the 10 days following.

CONCLUSIONS:

In a large real-world population of patients with CIED devices, AF burden was associated with HF hospitalization risk in the subsequent 30 days. The risk is increased with AF and an uncontrolled ventricular rate. Our findings support AF monitoring in CIED algorithms to prevent HF admissions.
Waitlist Outcomes for Pediatric Heart Transplantation in the Current Era: An Analysis of the Pediatric Heart Transplant Society Database
Authors: Butts Ryan J. , Toombs Leah , Kirklin James K. , Schumacher Kurt R. , Conway Jennifer , West Shawn C. , Auerbach Scott , Bansal Neha , Zhao Hong , Cantor Ryan S. , Nandi Deipanjan , Peng David M.
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND:

Waitlist mortality (WM) remains elevated in pediatric heart transplantation. Allocation policy is a potential tool to help improve WM. This study aims to identify patients at highest risk for WM to potentially inform future allocation policy changes.

METHODS:

The Pediatric Heart Transplant Society database was queried for patients <18 years of age indicated for heart transplantation between January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2021.
Waitlist mortality
was defined as death while awaiting transplant or removal from the waitlist due to clinical deterioration. Because WM is low after the first year, analysis was limited to the first 12 months on the heart transplant list. Kaplan–Meier analysis and log-rank testing was conducted to compare unadjusted survival between groups. Cox proportional hazard models were created to determine risk factors for WM. Subgroup analysis was performed for status 1A patients based on body surface area (BSA) at time of listing, cardiac diagnosis, and presence of mechanical circulatory support.

RESULTS:

In total 5974 children met study criteria of which 3928 were status 1A, 1012 were status 1B, 963 were listed status 2, and 65 were listed status 7. Because of the significant burden of WM experienced by 1A patients, further analysis was performed in only patients indicated as 1A. Within that group of patients, those with smaller size and lower eGFR had higher WM, whereas those patients without congenital heart disease or support from a ventricular assist device (VAD) at time of listing had decreased WM. In the smallest size cohort, cardiac diagnoses other than dilated cardiomyopathy were risk factors for WM. Previous cardiac surgery was a risk factor in the 0.3 to 0.7 m
2
and >0.7 m
2
BSA groups. VAD support was associated with lower WM other than in the single ventricle cohort, where VAD was associated with higher WM. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and mechanical ventilation were associated with increased risk of WM in all cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS:

There is significant variability in WM among status-1A patients. Potential refinements to current allocation system should factor in the increased WM risk we identified in patients supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or mechanical ventilation, single ventricle congenital heart disease on VAD support and small children with congenital heart disease, restrictive cardiomyopathy, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Empire and the Fashioning of Whiteness: Im/Material Culture in the British Atlantic World, c. 1660–1820
Authors: Lemire Beverly
Published: June 2024

Textiles played a crucial role in defining gender, rank, and race in British imperial expansion during the long eighteenth century. This period saw an emphasis on whiteness in skin and cloth, symbolizing social status and racial hierarchy, with laundering, largely performed by low-ranked and racialized women, maintaining pristine garments representing social “whiteness.” Everyday clothing, its care, and the opulent societal lifestyle of the elite, characterized by events such as masquerade balls, upheld the imperial ethos of race and reinforced social hierarchies. A critical history of empire must examine fabrics and their use, as well as the motivations behind material whiteness.
In memory of Wilfried Wichard (1944–2024)
Authors: MEY WOLFRAM , HOFFEINS CHRISTEL
Published: June 2024

Wilfried Wichard (WW) passed away in Bonn on 11 May, 2024 at the age of 80 (Fig. 1). He was born at Seppenrade in Westphalia, Germany on 25 April, 1944. From an early age he began to take an interest in nature. He started to collect insects during his high school years in Duisburg and published faunistic papers on Trichoptera. Faunistics remained a constant topic of interest in the first decades of his scientific career. Consequently, after high school he went on to study biology at Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn from 1965–1971. After graduating in 1971, he pursued his interest in the respiration mechanisms of Trichoptera larvae and earned his doctorate in the research group of Prof. Dr. G.H. Bick in 1973. In the following years, he continued to work at the university on issues of ecophysiology, cytology, osmoregulation and respiration, mainly of Trichoptera larvae and pupae, but also of other aquatic groups. Over the years he and his co-authors published a series of high-quality papers with results of their physiological studies supported by the German Research Foundation.
Spider-ant predation in Oligo-Miocene Mexican amber
Authors: CÓRDOVA-TABARES VÍCTOR MANUEL , RIQUELME FRANCISCO , VARELA-HERNÁNDEZ FERNANDO , ESTRADA-RUIZ EMILIO
Published: June 2024

Predator-prey interactions have played a pivotal role in the evolutionary history of both predators and prey. Nevertheless, due to spatiotemporal limitations in fossilization, evidence of such interactions is rarely preserved in the fossil record. This report documents the predatory activity of a clubionid sac spider (Araneae: Clubionidae) on an odorous ant (Formicidae: Dolichoderinae: Azteca) preserved in Mexican amber. The fossil material comes from the upper strata of the Simojovel Formation located in Chiapas, Mexico. Its recent dating places it within the temporal confines of the late Oligocene and early Miocene, ca. 24 Mya. This is a direct evidence of spider trapping and feeding behaviour resembling modern habits found in the geological past. The predator-prey interaction in the fossil record provides compelling evidence of biological diversity regarding taxonomic composition and spatial heterogeneity in a tropical and subtropical environment in which these species coexisted.
1. Introduction
Authors: Hughes Michael
Published: June 2024

This chapter introduces the reader to Feliks Volkhovskii, providing a brief overview of his life, and setting it within the broader development of the Russian revolutionary movement from the 1860s down to the First World War. While Volkhovskii is best-known for his role in mobilising support from western sympathisers against the tsarist government, editing publications like Free Russia, he was also a significant figure within the Russian revolutionary movement. As a young man, while still in Russia, he was a key figure in the development of Russian revolutionary populism (narodnichestvo). In later life he played an important role within the Socialist Revolutionary Party, editing several of its publications, including some that sought to foment unrest among soldiers and sailors. The chapter suggests that Volkhovskii’s commitment to the revolutionary movement was driven above all by his loathing of the tsarist regime, as well as the injustices faced by many of its people, rather than by a coherent ideology.
6. Returning to the Revolutionary Fray
Authors: Hughes Michael
Published: June 2024

This chapter examines Volkhovskii’s career during the first five years of the twentieth century. Volkhovskii had to spend a good deal of time during these years fighting to keep Free Russia in business, given that sales had for many years been low, while periodic outbursts of anarchist violence across Europe threatened to tar the reputation of all revolutionaries. Volkhovskii nevertheless devoted an increasing amount of time to supporting the development of the revolutionary movement itself. He was one of the founder members of Agrarian-Socialist League, formed following the death of Petr Lavrov in 1900, which in turn merged with the Socialist-Revolutionary Party in 1902. During the first few years of the twentieth century, he contributed extensively to revolutionary publications including Narodnoe delo, as well as writing a number of fables that were designed to articulate radical ideas in a form that could easily be understood by a peasant audience. Volkhovskii worked closely with the Finnish nationalist Konni Zilliacus to bring together socialist groups in Russia with nationalist groups from areas like Finland to form a united opposition to tsarism. He also worked with Zilliacus to procure weapons for revolutionary groups to support uprisings at a time when the attention of the government was focused on the war with Japan. Volkhovskii was also active in the Socialist Revolutionary Party, following its merger with the Agrarian-Socialist League, regularly visiting Switzerland to take part in its efforts to support revolutionary groups in Russia. Volkhovskii was from the start of the century increasingly optimistic about the prospects for revolution in Russia. He was living in Switzerland for most of 1905, when disorder erupted across Russia, and while ill-health prevented his return to Russia, he was convinced that the revolutionary events of that year showed that the tsarist government was close to collapse.
7. Final Years
Authors: Hughes Michael
Published: June 2024

This chapter examines Volkhovskii’s life from the 1905 Revolution down until his death in 1914. Volkhovskii returned to Russia in the summer of 1906, although he spent most of his time in Finland, in large part to escape unwelcome attention from the authorities. Volkhovskii quickly became a leading figure in producing propaganda aimed at soldiers and sailors, editing the journal Soldatskaia gazeta, (Soldiers Gazette) as well as writing articles and pamphlets on military affairs. He continued to focus on producing propaganda material following his return to Britain in 1907, editing the journal Za narod, as well as attending meetings of the Second International which discussed how to mobilise the working class across Europe against the nationalistic policies pursued by their governments. Volkhovskii once again edited Free Russia following his return, as well as taking part in activities hosted by the Society of Friends of Russia, although he was less active than he had been in the 1890s. The campaign against the tsarist government in Britain had also changed in character, increasingly drawing its support from the left of the political spectrum, rather than the Liberal nonconformist milieu that had previously been dominant. Volkhovskii found it increasingly difficult to justify terrorism to a sceptical British audience during these years, not least as revolutionaries from the Russian Empire were involved in violent activities in London, although he continued to argue that it was the brutality of the tsarist government that radicalised its opponents. Volkhovskii died in early August 1914, two days before Britain declared war on Germany.
1. Encountering the Uncontrollable
Authors: Begbie Jeremy
Published: June 2024

This chapter explores the ways in which the practices of music press against reductionism, and the theological resonances this provokes. Music is especially effective in countering reductionist habits: it stubbornly refuses to be treated as an equivalent or merely an instance of something else, or as no more than its component parts. Music makes sense through the distinctiveness of its own forms of life. Attention is paid to one form of reductionism lying behind many of the concerns of this volume—‘naturalistic reductionism’—and especially on the paradigm of language that regularly attaches to it. This language paradigm is criticised, and it is argued that music’s challenge to reductive impulses and its favoured language push us in decidedly theological directions without denigrating the spoken and written word.
3. Music, Breath, and Spirit
Authors: O’Connor Michael
Published: June 2024

What is the connection between singing, breathing, and the Holy Spirit? This chapter seeks to answer this question in the context of a theology of creation and incarnation grounded in trinitarian theology. As every singer knows, you cannot utter a word without breath. In the eternal now, the Word is uttered on the Holy Breath by the Father and utters himself back, on the Holy Breath, to the Father. This is the basis of all activity of the Trinity ‘outside’ of the Trinity. It provides the prototype of communication among creatures, including speech and song, as well as the telos of all authentic communication: eschatological participation in the communion of the Trinity. This chapter considers key moments from a trinitarian history of prayer and worship, highlighting the interaction of Word and Breath both in God’s self-disclosure in creation and redemption (going out), and in the return path of prayer, worship, and thanksgiving (coming in). This chapter offers one possible Roman Catholic approach—drawing on Hildegard of Bingen, Yves Congar, Etienne Vetö, and the Second Vatican Council. The methodological assumptions are largely pre-critical, following practices typical of patristic and medieval writers, enshrined not only in strictly theological works but also in liturgical texts and lectionaries and continued by hymn writers and poets.
4. An Adorative Posture towards Music and Spiritual Realities
Authors: Stone-Davis Férdia J.
Published: June 2024

In this chapter—employing the Anselmian dictum ‘faith seeking understanding’ as a cornerstone—I suggest that there is a certain parallel between the way of being, or ‘posture’, that is instilled in and through music, and the way of being that gives life to the pursuit of divine truth, one that might be called ‘adorative’. I suggest that music’s relationship to theological, religious, and spiritual realities is twofold. One, music can cultivate an adorative attitude that involves seeing more, hearing more (and being more), thereby offering a patterning that acts as a prolegomenon to the theological, religious, and spiritual enterprise. Two, in opening out onto ‘something more’, music may also reveal the very same realities that it guides us towards and prepares us to receive. Further to this, the chapter offers three practical considerations in relation to understanding the relationship between music and spiritual realities by means of the adorative. It resonates with the caution against attempts to delimit the relationship to any conceptually conclusive and general forms or rules. It moves us away from the understanding’s tendency to control and dominate the object of its attention towards an attitude or mode of being that allows the object of attention to be. It allows a coexistence of immanent (horizontal) and absolute (vertical) forms of transcendence.
10. The Concept of ‘Atmosphere’ as a Bridge between Music and Spirituality
Authors: Sawicki Bernard Łukasz
Published: June 2024

The notion of atmosphere adds a new dimension to metaphors and symbols attempting to describe both musical and spiritual experience. Speaking of atmosphere, the discourse on music or spirituality itself moves from the purely descriptive sphere into the realm of experience, shedding new light on its specificity and effects. Consequently, one can speak of a reinterpretation of such key concepts for spirituality and theology as the body, incarnation, transformation (conversion). Music can help to understand and express them better.

In this chapter, the above theses will be presented according to the following scheme: 1) A general outline of the philosophical and aesthetic significance of the concept of 'atmosphere'; 2) A presentation of the potential 'dimensions of atmosphere' in music (tonality, the event of performance, the context of listening to the music, the role of the title and the biography of the composer or performer); 3) A presentation of the potential 'dimensions' of spirituality (prayer and its context, celebration, the eloquence and expression of texts, encounter); 4) A demonstration of the common 'atmospheric' elements of music and spirituality: the experience of perception, moving, touching, the presence of the Other, encounter. One cannot deny that the concept of atmosphere functions best in the spirituality of religions based on personal contact with God. If so, it is not merely descriptive but can have a practical dimension, stimulating both the musical or spiritual experience as well as facilitating its interpretation by opening it up, through synesthesia, to the sensations and language of other arts.
11. Spiritual Subjects
Authors: Heaney Maeve Louise
Published: June 2024

This chapter focusses on and explores the connection between the two core themes at the heart of the book’s research agenda: spirituality and music. Building on broad and intellectually informed definitions of musicking and spirituality, the chapter names three theological categories from the world of Christian theology – Grace, Trinity, and the Ascended Body of Christ – that help ground some commonly-perceived connections between the two, as well as various disciplinary fields from world of music study – musical semiotics, hermeneutics, and history – necessary to explore these connections further. From these preliminary considerations, the chapter makes a case for grounding research into music and spirituality on the source and subject of that work: the very person of the researcher. A reflexive and self-appropriated researcher is the foundation of all useful knowledge and the condition of possibility for its clarity and future development. Drawing on the categories of narrative, biography (Metz), the researcher “in conversion” (Lonergan), and a small test-group of reflective responses from scholars at work in this field, I suggest that more awareness of whence our interest in this field will help bridge gaps and advance our quest to understand music, spirituality and the spaces in-between.
12. The Impetus to Compose
Authors: McGregor Richard E.
Published: June 2024

In this article I explore aspects of my search to understand the nature of the impetus to compose. This quest originated from a personal experience of the conflict between preplanned systems and intuition/inspiration: a conflict in my creativity that produced a compositional block. The music of Peter Maxwell Davies seemed to embody this dialectic in that his large-scale works and music theatre pieces appeared to hint that he had found a way to allow both order and intuition to exist within his compositional approach. However, as always, the reality was much more complex, and the composer’s diaries have, latterly, indicated that his struggle with the compositional imperative was intense. James MacMillan and Wolfgang Rihm on the other hand, seemed to exhibit, each in his own way, much less need for preplanned systems, and more reliance on intuition and inspiration, the latter being a somewhat contested term. Whereas Davies utilised many pre-compositional sketches, Rihm’s sketches are sparse and at times non-existent, suggesting much less reliance on pre-planning. Despite a lack of available sketches by MacMillan, what emerged from this study was that some aspect of the ‘spiritual’ underpins all three composers’ work, one manifestation of which is a sense of continuity whereindividual works are often cojoined in a kind of ongoing process where one leads to another, and there is a point in the composition process where the unconscious is ‘allowed’ to become conscious. This, in turn, seems to suggest links with what happens during ‘peak experiences’ in music.
18. Music and Spirituality in Communal Song
Authors: Clarke Martin V.
Published: June 2024

This chapter explores the relationship between spirituality and identity through consideration of the musical practices of two groups long renowned for the vigour and vitality of their communal singing: Methodists and Welsh sporting crowds. It argues that lyrics, musical settings and performance contexts all contribute to the ways in which singing has become central to both the self-understanding of these groups and their perception by outsiders. In terms of lyrics, the chapter contends that matters of form, language and imagery are centrally important, while in musical terms, repetition and harmony are key factors in enabling and encouraging impassioned singing in specific communal contexts. Jeff Astley’s concept of ordinary theology is brought into dialogue with Ruth Finnegan’s work on hidden musicians and Benedict Anderson’s imagined communities to argue that text and music combine in particular contexts in which communal identity is already foregrounded to heighten and intensify the experiences of participants.
Research for the Common Good: Unreliable Lead-Free Marketing for Tableware
Authors: Steigner Sofia , Zhang Qiyang
Published: June 2024

Tableware often contains glazes that may contain lead and other toxins. Inadequate firing processes can result in lead seepage into food, posing health risks upon ingestion. 1. Besides glaze, the ceramic material itself may contain heavy metals, such as lead. Even exposure to very low levels of lead can significantly impact childhood IQ, which has been a public issue since the 1960s. Near-zero levels of exposure to toxins are essential to protect public health. 2. Health organizations have published recommended “safe” levels of lead and other toxins. For example, California Proposition 65: <0.1 ppm; Massachusetts 105 CMR 460.200 Lead Poisoning and Control: <2 ppm; Food and Drug Administration (FDA): <0.5 ppm for mugs. In this study, ceramic cups specifically advertised as lead- and cadmium-free were tested. While the primary goal was to verify the legitimacy of lead- and cadmium-free advertisements as an educational service to consumers, levels of chromium and zinc were also tested. Specifically, the level of toxins within the ceramic, the amount of toxins leaching into the consumable liquids, and changes in leached levels over time were investigated. Samples were examined by using Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis. Our findings show a wide range of toxin exposure, indicating that the marketing is false.
Empirical Analysis on Economic Sustainable of Rice Rain-Fed Area in Rural Cambodia
Authors: Siek Darith , Emmsethakar Sun , Yu Wen , Xu Shiwei , Bunna Sun , Sourphimean Siek , Sourchhordaphear Siek
Published: June 2024

This paper investigates the economic sustainability of Cambodian rural rice farmers. Rice in Cambodia is a stable crop just as in many other Southeast Asian countries. The rice plants not only provide food to people but also a source of feed for livestock. Based on survey about of 6 districts of the rural household in Battambang of Cambodia, a total 204 rice farmers were interviewed and multiple regression models was applied using the method of Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) to determine the factors affecting the Crop-livestock farmers’ disposable income. The study aggregated the livestock of 3 species including cattle, pig and chicken in cattle unit standard known as Livestock Unit (LU). The result of the empirical analysis shows that many household demography factors as well as the socioeconomic factors influences the disposable income. The findings in the study provide an insight to the government and extension offices on effective development of economic sustainability of rice farming and livestock production system in the regions; investing more in public animal healthcare; ensure stable market prices for both rice and livestock, paying more attention on the factors limiting income in particular to poorer provinces and districts. Provide irrigation facilities accompanied with high technological varieties to encourage the double or even triple rice seasons. In addition, government (especially the ministry of agriculture) should embark on technological transfer among provinces and countries with successful agricultural system, orient farmers on the potential benefits of crop-livestock farming, provide training ground and scheme to local farmers.