bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Studying the effectiveness of investments in hotel services using customer sentiment analysis
Authors: Kozłowski Maciej , Korzeniewski Jerzy
Published: January 2024

The main aim of the article is to assess investments in hotel services in Poland in 2018–2020. The assessment was carried out by examining the correlation between financial outlays in the hotel industry in powiats (counties) and voivodeships of Poland and customer opinions expressed in internet entries on the websites of individual tourist facilities. The methodology for testing the sentiment of text documents is an unsupervised classification algorithm applied to the Polish language. The classification task consists of the unsupervised assignment of a text document to one of three sentiment classes: positive, neutral, or negative. The research is based on opinions collected from 906 hotels and the amount of financial investment in individual hotel segments (categories) in the surveyed years on a powiat basis. Financial investment data were gathered from the official statistical yearbook websites and internet entries were scraped from the websites of individual tourist facilities. The analysis shows a positive relationship between the size of investment in hotel services and the sentiment of customers' opinions. The scientific contribution of the research is threefold. Firstly, an attempt is made to assess the efficiency of investments in hotel services in Poland in recent years. Secondly, the approach applied omits the downsides of other popular models of assessing the quality of services. Thirdly, the algorithm used quite precisely finds the categories required for a different kind or broader analysis of the quality of hotel services.
Open access research outputs receive more diverse citations
Authors: Huang Chun-Kai , Neylon Cameron , Montgomery Lucy , Hosking Richard , Diprose James P. , Handcock Rebecca N. , Wilson Katie
Published: January 2024

The goal of open access is to allow more people to read and use research outputs. An observed association between highly cited research outputs and open access has been claimed as evidence of increased usage of the research, but this remains controversial. A higher citation count also does not necessarily imply wider usage such as citations by authors from more places. A knowledge gap exists in our understanding of who gets to use open access research outputs and where users are located. Here we address this gap by examining the association between an output’s open access status and the diversity of research outputs that cite it. By analysing large-scale bibliographic data from 2010 to 2019, we found a robust association between open access and increased diversity of citation sources by institutions, countries, subregions, regions, and fields of research, across outputs with both high and medium–low citation counts. Open access through disciplinary or institutional repositories showed a stronger effect than open access via publisher platforms. This study adds a new perspective to our understanding of how citations can be used to explore the effects of open access. It also provides new evidence at global scale of the benefits of open access as a mechanism for widening the use of research and increasing the diversity of the communities that benefit from it.
Is there a “difference-in-difference”? The impact of scientometric evaluation on the evolution of international publications in Egyptian universities and research centres
Authors: Ali Mona Farouk
Published: January 2024

Adopting scientometric evaluation in the context of academic promotion has been one of the recent reforms in Egyptian higher education geared towards boosting scientific excellence and global exposure. This type of evaluation awards higher points to works published in Web of Science journals. The objective here is to investigate the hypothesis that this procedure leads to the intensification of international publications and shifts in publication patterns in Egyptian universities compared to research centres that are not subject to the regulations employing this type of evaluation. The requisite research data were extracted from Clarivate's InCites for 45 universities and 43 research centres from 1996 to 2021 and analysed using the difference-in-difference approach. The findings show a generally positive effect on WoS publications. That is, significant differences are observed for all variables examined for universities (total publications, subjects, types, and journal quartiles), whereas this evaluation had some spillover effects on research centres. This proves the significance of the evaluation in fostering international productivity. The outputs would be of interest to policy-makers who are planning to promote and broaden the scope of this novel technique in research assessment. The present study may also stimulate future comparisons with other countries applying this type of evaluation.
The First Lucy Earth Flyby (EGA1)
Authors: Spencer John R. , Bell James F. , Christensen Phillip R. , Dello Russo Neil , Kaplan Hannah H. , Reuter Dennis C. , Simon Amy A. , Vincent Michael A. , Weaver Harold A.
Published: January 2024

The Lucy spacecraft successfully performed the first of two Earth Gravity Assist maneuvers on October 16th 2022, flying 360 km above the Earth’s surface at 11:04 UT. The flyby was essential for the Lucy mission design, but also provided a wealth of data for scientific, calibration, and public engagement purposes. The Earth and Moon provided excellent calibration targets, being large, bright, and well-characterized, though instrument saturation was sometimes an issue, as the instruments are designed for operation 5 AU from the sun. Calibration data of the Earth and/or Moon were taken with all Lucy instruments, improving knowledge of instrument alignment, stray light characteristics, and sensitivity to resolved targets. In addition, Lucy obtained scientifically valuable thermal emission spectra of the Moon, and extensive images of the DART mission impact into the Didymos system, from a unique geometry, 20 days before the Earth flyby.
Experimental investigation of thermal performance of vertical multitube cylindrical latent heat thermal energy storage systems
Authors: Shen Gang , Wang Xiaolin , Yu Jie , Bin Yuejing , Zhong Shan , Yang Shengqi , Wang Jianguo
Published: January 2024

The multitube design in the shell-and-tube type latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) system has received intensive attention due to its promising benefits in enhancing heat storage efficiency. In this paper, single and multi-tube shell LHTES systems were experimentally investigated. First, this study experimentally compared the thermal characteristics between a multiple-tube heat exchanger (MTHX) and a single-tube heat exchanger (STHX). The STHX’s geometrical parameters coincided with a virtual cylindrical domain in the MTHX, being similar to the single-tube model formulated by simplifying the numerical solution to investigate the MTHX. The experimental data was then used to validate the simplified numerical model commonly used in the literature that converted the multi-tube problem to a single-tube model by formulating a virtual cylindrical domain for each tube in the MTHX system. The results showed that there was a noticeable difference in the thermal characteristics between the actual STHX and the virtual cylindrical STHX domain in the MTHX system. The comparison indicated that the simplified numerical model could not accurately reflect the thermal performance of the MTHX system. An experimental study or three-dimensional numerical modelling was required for the thermal analysis of the multi-tube problems. Second, the effect of tube number in the MTHX was experimentally investigated. It was found that an increase in tube number boosted both charging and discharging rates without inhibiting the natural convection. The five-tube configuration decreased the total charging and discharging duration by 50% compared to the two-tube one. Finally, the effect of heat transfer fluid (HTF) operating parameters on the system performance was evaluated on the five-tube MTHX system. The results revealed that the adoption of higher HTF temperature considerably improved the charging performance. The charging time decreased by up to 41% with the HTF temperature increasing from 70 to 80 °C. Meanwhile, a variation in the HTF flow rate from 5 to 20 L/min showed a more pronounced influence on charging than on discharging due to the different dominant heat transfer mechanisms.
Effects of high-order interactions on synchronization of a fractional-order neural system
Authors: Saçu İbrahim Ethem
Published: January 2024

In this study, effects of high-order interactions on synchronization of the fractional-order Hindmarsh–Rose neuron models have been examined deeply. Three different network situations in which first-order coupling, high-order couplings and first-plus second-order couplings included in the neuron models, have been considered, respectively. In order to find the optimal values of the first- and high-order coupling parameters by minimizing the cost function resulted from pairwise and triple interactions, the particle swarm optimization algorithm is employed. It has been deduced from the numerical simulation results that the first-plus second-order couplings induce the synchronization with both reduced first-order coupling strength and total cost compared to the first-order coupled case solely. When the only first-order coupled case is compared with the only second-order coupled case, it is determined that the neural network with only second-order couplings involved could achieve synchronization with lower coupling strength and, as a natural result, lower cost. On the other hand, solely second- and first-plus second-order coupled networks give very similar results each other. Therefore, high-order interactions have a positive effect on the synchronization. Additionally, increasing the network size decreases the values of the both first- and high-order coupling strengths to reach synchronization. However, in this case, total cost should be kept in the mind. Decreasing the fractional order parameter causes slower synchronization due to the decreased frequency of the neural response. On the other hand, more synchronous network is possible with increasing the fractional order parameter. Thus, the neural network with higher fractional order as well as high-order coupled is a good candidate in terms of the neural synchronization.
Application of Small- and Ultra-Small-Angle Neutron Scattering for the Characterization of Mechanically Plated Coatings
Authors: Chung Ping Ping , Mata Jitendra , Wang James , Durandet Yvonne
Published: January 2024

Post-mechanical plating heat treatment induces the formation of an iron–zinc (Fe-Zn) rich intermetallic layer between Zn and ZnSn coatings and the substrate. Despite increased outer coating porosity, the corrosion resistance of Zn- and ZnSn-coated steels significantly improves after heat treatment, attributed to the formation of intermetallic phases. This study employs small- and ultra-small-angle neutron scattering (SANS and USANS) to investigate the behavior of mechanically plated Zn and ZnSn coatings pre- and post-heat treatment. In the presence of a relatively thick steel substrate, strong multiple scattering occurs. However, by identifying a specific highQ-range region where multiple scattering is negligible, we reveal small but significant differences. Porod’s slopes, denoted as ‘n’, are calculated for uncoated steel, and Zn- and ZnSn-coated steels (both with and without heat treatment). These slope values reflect contributions from different interfaces on the particles’ surface roughness. Despite the challenges of multiple scattering, our findings offer valuable insights into coatings’ behavior. The study lays a foundation for future investigations into coating behavior using SANS/USANS techniques.
Evolution of Through-Thickness Texture and Microstructure of an ARB-Processed Nb1-Zr Alloy
Authors: Rey-Castañeda Juan Emilio , Pérez-García Sergio Alfonso , García-Pastor Francisco
Published: January 2024

This study investigates the effects of accumulative roll bonding processing on a commercial Nb1Zr alloy. The sheets were subjected to preheating, followed by five reduction cycles. Microstructural evolution was examined through metallography, revealing increasing homogenization of the morphology across the laminate thickness. Microhardness increased from 109 HV to 187 HV in the final laminate due to grain refinement. Electron back-scattered diffraction analysis showed removal of shear strain effects with each deformation step, highlighting microstructural heterogeneity and texture variation. The Goss texture was intensified at the surface during the third cycle, attributed to surface recrystallization. Low-angle grain boundaries were prevalent initially, shifting to a bimodal distribution favoring high-angle grain boundaries with increased deformation, linked to dynamic recovery and recrystallization.
The protective role of positive mental health on prolonged grief disorder, anxiety and depression among bereaved refugees: cross-sectional mediation models
Authors: Dababneh Nesreen , Margraf Jürgen , Zhang Xiao Chi , Brailovskaia Julia
Published: January 2024

Grief is a common reaction to loss; however, its persistence is subject to specific mechanisms related to the context of death, comorbidities with other mental health disorders, and individual coping status. The current study aimed to investigate the cross-sectional link between refugees’ positive mental health (PMH) and reduced prolonged grief disorder (PGD) mediated by changes in anxiety and depression and, conversely, between PMH and reduced anxiety and depression symptoms mediated by changes in prolonged grief symptoms. The present cross-sectional study involved 385 bereaved adult Arabic-speaking refugees. Data were collected via an online survey. All participants experienced prolonged grief symptoms a minimum of 6 months from the death event. The parallel mediation model showed that PMH is indirectly linked to PGD, and the significant mediation of anxiety and depression could explain this relationship. Furthermore, two simple mediation models showed that PMH is indirectly linked to anxiety and depression, and the significant mediating effect of PGD could explain this relationship. The current results confirm the role of PMH as a predisposed coping status that could reduce the risk for PGD. Increasing the level of PMH can be considered a protective factor against challenging life events such as persistent grief and related disorders.
Inverse and Moore–Penrose inverse of conditional matrices via convolution
Authors: Köme Cahit , Yazlik Yasin
Published: January 2024

Moore–Penrose inverse emerges in statistics, neural networks, machine learning, applied physics, numerical analysis, tensor computations, solving systems of linear equations and in many other disciplines. Especially after the 2000s, the topic of Moore–Penrose inverse has started to attract great attention by researchers and has become a popular subject. In this paper, we investigate the Moore–Penrose inverse of the conditional matrices via convolution product formula. In order to use convolution formula effectively, we derive some useful identities by using some properties of the generalized conditional sequence. Moreover, we express the Moore–Penrose inverse of the conditional matrices in the form of block matrices. Finally, we not only present more general results compared to earlier works, but also provide many novel results using analytical techniques.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Mimicking Ovarian Cancer: A Case Series from A Tertiary Cancer Center
Authors: Abouzid Amr , Shetiwy Mosab , Hossam Amr , Hamdy Mohamed , Ezzat Mohamed , Elghaffar Mohamed Abd
Published: January 2024

The female pelvis has a complex anatomy, and benign adnexal diseases can present as malignant ovarian masses clinically and radiologically. Between 1 June 2011 and 28 September 2022, we included in this study all the patients who were diagnosed initially with suspicious ovarian masses in the Department of Surgical Oncology, Oncology Center, Mansoura University, Egypt, and after surgical exploration revealed pelvic inflammatory disease and we assessed their  diagnostic, operative, and postoperative outcomes. In this case series we had 41 patients of a total of 803 cases with suspicious adnexal mass that revealed pelvic inflammatory disease after surgical exploration, abdominal pain was the common presentation in 53.7% of the cases, and low-grade fever was reported in seven cases. The serum cancer antigen 125 was elevated in 70.7% of the cases. Unilateral adnexal mass was found in 30 cases and 11 cases had bilateral adnexal masses. We followed up on the patients within 47 months (range 12–88 months); recurrent pelvic inflammatory disease has developed in one case after 62 months and ovarian cancer has developed in another case after 80 months. We concluded that benign adnexal masses such as tubo-ovarian abscess secondary to pelvic inflammatory disease should be considered a differential diagnosis in patients with radiological suspicious adnexal masses when the tumor markers such as cancer antigen 125 are normal or mildly elevated, especially in premenopausal women, and the clinical presentations are not specific to either benign or malignant adnexal diseases.
Lithium-Ion Charged Polymer Channels Flattening Lithium Metal Anode
Authors: Duan Haofan , You Yu , Wang Gang , Ou Xiangze , Wen Jin , Huang Qiao , Lyu Pengbo , Liang Yaru , Li Qingyu , Huang Jianyu , Wang Yun-Xiao , Liu Hua-Kun , Dou Shi Xue , Lai Wei-Hong
Published: January 2024

The concentration difference in the near-surface region of lithium metal is the main cause of lithium dendrite growth. Resolving this issue will be key to achieving high-performance lithium metal batteries (LMBs). Herein, we construct a lithium nitrate (LiNO3)-implanted electroactive β phase polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP) crystalline polymorph layer (PHL). The electronegatively charged polymer chains attain lithium ions on the surface to form lithium-ion charged channels. These channels act as reservoirs to sustainably release Li ions to recompense the ionic flux of electrolytes, decreasing the growth of lithium dendrites. The stretched molecular channels can also accelerate the transport of Li ions. The combined effects enable a high Coulombic efficiency of 97.0% for 250 cycles in lithium (Li)||copper (Cu) cell and a stable symmetric plating/stripping behavior over 2000 h at 3 mA cm−2 with ultrahigh Li utilization of 50%. Furthermore, the full cell coupled with PHL-Cu@Li anode and LiFePO4 cathode exhibits long-term cycle stability with high-capacity retention of 95.9% after 900 cycles. Impressively, the full cell paired with LiNi0.87Co0.1Mn0.03O2 maintains a discharge capacity of 170.0 mAh g−1 with a capacity retention of 84.3% after 100 cycles even under harsh condition of ultralow N/P ratio of 0.83. This facile strategy will widen the potential application of LiNO3 in ester-based electrolyte for practical high-voltage LMBs.
Efficient Polytelluride Anchoring for Ultralong-Life Potassium Storage: Combined Physical Barrier and Chemisorption in Nanogrid-in-Nanofiber
Authors: Li Qinghua , Yu Dandan , Peng Jian , Zhang Wei , Huang Jianlian , Liang Zhixin , Wang Junling , Lin Zeyu , Xiong Shiyun , Wang Jiazhao , Huang Shaoming
Published: January 2024

Metal tellurides (MTes) are highly attractive as promising anodes for high-performance potassium-ion batteries. The capacity attenuation of most reported MTe anodes is attributed to their poor electrical conductivity and large volume variation. The evolution mechanisms, dissolution properties, and corresponding manipulation strategies of intermediates (K-polytellurides, K-pTex) are rarely mentioned. Herein, we propose a novel structural engineering strategy to confine ultrafine CoTe2 nanodots in hierarchical nanogrid-in-nanofiber carbon substrates (CoTe2@NC@NSPCNFs) for smooth immobilization of K-pTex and highly reversible conversion of CoTe2 by manipulating the intense electrochemical reaction process. Various in situ/ex situ techniques and density functional theory calculations have been performed to clarify the formation, transformation, and dissolution of K-pTex (K5Te3 and K2Te), as well as verifying the robust physical barrier and the strong chemisorption of K5Te3 and K2Te on S, N co-doped dual-type carbon substrates. Additionally, the hierarchical nanogrid-in-nanofiber nanostructure increases the chemical anchoring sites for K-pTex, provides sufficient volume buffer space, and constructs highly interconnected conductive microcircuits, further propelling the battery reaction to new heights (3500 cycles at 2.0 A g−1). Furthermore, the full cells further demonstrate the potential for practical applications. This work provides new insights into manipulating K-pTex in the design of ultralong-cycling MTe anodes for advanced PIBs.
Projective and injective tensor products of Banach $$L^0$$-modules
Authors: Pasqualetto Enrico
Published: January 2024

We study projective and injective tensor products of Banach $$L^0$$

L
0

-modules over a $$\sigma $$
σ
-finite measure space. En route, we extend to Banach $$L^0$$

L
0

-modules several technical tools of independent interest, such as quotient operators, summable families, and Schauder bases.
Active Exploration Deep Reinforcement Learning for Continuous Action Space with Forward Prediction
Authors: Zhao Dongfang , Huanshi Xu , Xun Zhang
Published: January 2024

The application of reinforcement learning (RL) to the field of autonomous robotics has high requirements about sample efficiency, since the agent expends for interaction with the environment. One method for sample efficiency is to extract knowledge from existing samples and used to exploration. Typical RL algorithms achieve exploration using task-specific knowledge or adding exploration noise. These methods are limited to current policy improvement level and lack of long-term planning. We propose a novel active exploration deep RL algorithm for the continuous action space problem named active exploration deep reinforcement learning (AEDRL). Our method uses the Gaussian process to model dynamic model, enabling the probability description of prediction sample. Action selection is formulated as the solution of the optimization problem. Thus, the optimization objective is specifically designed for selecting samples that can minimize the uncertainty of the dynamic model. Active exploration is achieved through long-term optimized action selection. This long-term considered action exploration method is more guidance for learning. Enable intelligent agents to explore more interesting action spaces. The proposed AEDRL algorithm is evaluated on several robotic control task including classic pendulum problem and five complex articulated robots. The AEDRL can learn a controller using fewer episodes and demonstrates performance and sample efficiency.
Optimized Convolutional Forest by Particle Swarm Optimizer for Pothole Detection
Authors: Aljohani Abeer
Published: January 2024

Poor road maintenance leads to potholes on the road. Potholes are responsible for road accidents and even deaths in developed and developing countries. Detecting and filling road potholes is an essential part of road maintenance. Sustaining a reliable and safe road for communication depends on pothole detection. This study presents a novel combination of a convolutional neural network and an optimized machine-learning model by a heuristic algorithm for pothole detection. The proposed method comprises a shallow convolutional neural network for feature extraction and an optimized random forest model for pothole detection. The proposed model initially uses the shallow convolutional layer to extract feature sets from input pictures. Then, the particle swarm optimizer is used to eliminate irrelevant features. Finally, a combination of random forest and a particle swarm optimizer is used for pothole detection. Particle swarm optimization indicates the best subset of the extracted feature set for final pothole detection. We added 171 pictures to the already available 665 pothole pictures to evaluate the proposed method. The test set was isolated from the training set, and we trained the model on k-fold cross-validation. The experimental result indicates 99.37% accuracy, 99.37% precision, 99.38% sensitivity, and 99.38% F1-score for discriminating potholes from roads without potholes by proposed methods. The response time of the proposed method for pothole detection is 0.02 s. The proposed method can be utilized for real-time pothole detection.
Positivity of Schur forms for strongly decomposably positive vector bundles
Authors: Wan Xueyuan
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we define two types of strongly decomposable positivity, which serve as generalizations of (dual) Nakano positivity and are stronger than the decomposable positivity introduced by S. Finski. We provide the criteria for strongly decomposable positivity of type I and type II and prove that the Schur forms of a strongly decomposable positive vector bundle of type I are weakly positive, while the Schur forms of a strongly decomposable positive vector bundle of type II are positive. These answer a question of Griffiths affirmatively for strongly decomposably positive vector bundles. Consequently, we present an algebraic proof of the positivity of Schur forms for (dual) Nakano positive vector bundles, which was initially proven by S. Finski.
Principle of fundamental resonance in hypersonic boundary layers: an asymptotic viewpoint
Authors: Song Runjie , Dong Ming , Zhao Lei
Published: January 2024

The fundamental resonance (FR) in the nonlinear phase of the boundary-layer transition to turbulence appears when a dominant planar instability mode reaches a finite amplitude and the low-amplitude oblique travelling modes with the same frequency as the dominant mode, together with the stationary streak modes, undergo the strongest amplification among all the Fourier components. This regime may be the most efficient means to trigger the natural transition in hypersonic boundary layers. In this paper, we aim to reveal the intrinsic mechanism of the FR in the weakly nonlinear framework based on the large-Reynolds-number asymptotic technique. It is found that the FR is, in principle, a triad resonance among a dominant planar fundamental mode, a streak mode and an oblique mode. In the major part of the boundary layer, the nonlinear interaction of the fundamental mode and the streak mode seeds the growth of the oblique mode, whereas the interaction of the oblique mode and the fundamental mode drives the roll components (transverse and lateral velocity) of the streak mode, which leads to a stronger amplification of the streamwise component of the streak mode due to the lift-up mechanism. This asymptotic analysis clearly shows that the dimensionless growth rates of the streak and oblique modes are the same order of magnitude as the dimensionless amplitude of the fundamental mode

$(\bar {\epsilon }_{10})$

, and the amplitude of the streak mode is

$O(\bar {\epsilon }_{10}^{-1})$

greater than that of the oblique mode. The main-layer solution of the streamwise velocity, spanwise velocity and temperature of both the streak and the oblique modes become singular as the wall is approached, and so a viscous wall layer appears underneath. The wall layer produces an outflux velocity to the main-layer solution, inclusion of which leads to an improved asymptotic theory whose accuracy is confirmed by comparing with the calculations of the nonlinear parabolised stability equations (NPSEs) at moderate Reynolds numbers and the secondary instability analysis (SIA) at sufficiently high Reynolds numbers.
Flow stability and sequence of bifurcations in a cubic cavity driven by a constant shear stress
Authors: des Boscs Pierre-Emmanuel , Kuhlmann Hendrik C.
Published: January 2024

The progressive destabilisation of the incompressible flow in a cubical cavity driven by a constant shear stress is investigated numerically. To that end, one of the square faces of the cube is subjected to a constant shear stress parallel to two opposite edges of that face. The three-dimensional steady basic flow loses its mirror symmetry through a supercritical pitchfork bifurcation leading to a pair of steady stable non-symmetric flow states that are antisymmetric to each other. Upon increase of the strength of the driving, these non-symmetric equilibria become unstable via a Hopf bifurcation resulting in two limit cycles. The bifurcations are investigated using classical linear stability analyses as well as nonlinear simulations. Upon a further increase of the driving shear stress, the limit cycles destabilise through bursts triggering a complex interplay between the unstable equilibria. The transition to turbulence resembles the Pomeau–Manneville scenario.
Scaling law of the second-order structure function over the entire sandstorm process
Authors: Liu Hongyou , Shi Yanxiong , Zheng Xiaojing
Published: January 2024

This study reveals the competitive evolutionary process of the main driving factors in the early, middle and late stages of sandstorms, as shear turbulence becomes dominant and is then suppressed by enhanced thermal stability, based on quadrant analysis of the sand-laden turbulent wind field acquired from field observations over the entire sandstorm process. Moreover, the self-organized state of multiscale structures in the energy-containing region of the sand-laden turbulence is found to change significantly as the sandstorm develops. The logarithmic scaling law that governs the cumulative turbulent kinetic energy for the non-stationary flow in the early and late stages of the sandstorm is different from the existing theoretical formula. The corresponding rate of increase in the cumulative kinetic energy with increasing scale is much higher in these stages than in the middle stage of the sandstorm with steady flow. The change in self-organized state of turbulence is responsible for the flow acceleration and the thermal superimposed effect, rather than the addition of sand particles.
The Case for Special Education Teacher Wellbeing: A Multidimensional Review of the Evidence and Future Directions
Authors: Sawatske Andrew , Leonard Carl , Harris Jess , Dally Kerry
Published: January 2024

Extant studies of special education teacher wellbeing often focus on negative aspects, such as stress, burnout and the consequent attrition from teaching, the latter occurring with increasing frequency in the field of special education. In this article, the authors use the OECD teacher wellbeing framework to conceptualise special education teacher wellbeing as a positive multidimensional construct, making the case for uncoupling special education teacher wellbeing from mainstream teacher wellbeing given the almost paradigmatic difference in roles, responsibilities, and educational context within Australian schools. The (limited) literature reveals numerous possibilities for supporting and promoting special education teacher wellbeing with salient wellbeing-promoting factors, such as teacher self-efficacy, connectedness, professional development, and class structure. Further empirical studies harnessing these factors will help improve working conditions and the wellbeing of special education teachers.
Teaching the difficult heritage of Italian Fascism
Authors: Daly Selena , Malone Hannah , Wilcox Vanda
Published: January 2024

In recent years, the architectural legacy and so-called ‘difficult heritage’ of Fascist Italy has become a flourishing field of research. These topics have also begun to make their way into the undergraduate classroom. To date, however, there has been little research carried out into the methods we use to teach the history of Fascism in particular. In this short article, we outline how we have applied problem-based learning and scenario-based learning approaches to tackle this topic. After presenting three assignments, we explain the benefits associated with a PBL/SBL approach, summarised under the headings of interdisciplinarity, creativity and authenticity, before highlighting some aspects on which colleagues may wish to reflect if they are considering adopting a similar approach in their teaching.
The temperature optima for pollen germination and pollen tube growth of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) strongly depend on the growth temperature
Authors: Kumarathunge Dushan P. , Weerasinghe Lasantha K. , Samarasinghe Ruwan K. , Geekiyanage Nalaka
Published: January 2024

Understanding trait variation in response to temperature is important to predict how crops respond to rising temperature. Although we have a sound understanding of the effects of increasing temperature on growth and development of crops, a robust assessment of how crop reproductive processes are affected by climate warming is still lacking. In this study, we experimentally investigate how the growth temperature affects the cardinal temperatures of in vitro pollen germination of widely distributed tree crop species Cocos nucifera L. (cultivar Sri Lankan Tall). We hypothesize that temperature optima for pollen germination and pollen tube growth would be determined by the growth temperature. Our results showed that the temperature optima of pollen germination and pollen tube growth were higher at relatively warmer sites (sites where the mean annual temperature ∼ 28°C) compared to the cooler sites (sites where the mean annual temperature ∼ 22°C). The two processes were better coordinated at warmer sites. We speculate that tropical tree species that are currently growing in relatively cooler environments may have the capacity to perform their reproductive physiological functions in future warmer climates without any substantial negative impacts. Findings of this study should prove useful in quantifying the potential impacts of climate warming on tropical agro-ecosystems, improving the representation of plant reproduction in crop models.
How ‘Chinese Dynasties’ Periodization Works with the ‘Tribute System’ and ‘Sinicization’ to Erase Diversity and Euphemize Colonialism in Historiography of China
Authors: Millward James A.
Published: January 2024

The thirteenth edition of Robert Art and Robert Jervis’s International politics: enduring concepts and contemporary issues (2017), a textbook used in the core International Relations class for MA students in the Georgetown Masters in Foreign Service and many other such courses, asserts the following: ‘By the fourteenth century, these Sinicized states [China, Japan, and Korea] had evolved a set of international rules and institutions known as the “tribute system”, with China clearly the hegemon and operating under the presumption of inequality, which resulted in a clear hierarchy and lasting peace.’ This appears in a short article by David Kang, summarizing arguments from his books.1 It appears in a section titled ‘The mitigation of anarchy’, sandwiched between short pieces by Stephen M. Walt (‘Balancing and bandwagoning’), Hans Morgenthau (‘Diplomacy’), Stanley Hoffman (‘International law’), and Robert Keohane (‘International institutions’). This positioning suggests that while international relations in the West involves balancing, bandwagoning, law, and institutions, East Asia runs on the ‘tribute system’.
Circular agriculture practices enhance phosphorus recovery for large-scale commercial farms under tropical conditions
Authors: Moreira S. G. , Hoogenboom G. , Nunes M. R. , Sanchez P. A.
Published: January 2024

The objective of this research was to assess the adoption of circular agricultural practices as a tool to improve the recovery use efficiency of phosphorus (P) applied to tropical soils. Two Brazilian farms (1 and 2) that are under long-term no-till and cropped year-round with cover and/or cash crops were used in this study. Soybean, maize and common bean were grown during the summer season (October–February), followed by wheat, common bean and maize during the winter season (February–August). Brachiaria ruziziensis was intercropped with off-season maize. Farm 1 also grew sweet potatoes in rotation with grains. In the integrated crop–livestock system, the leftovers from the silos and crop residues were used to feed beef cattle, while the residues not used in the confinement were turned into compost and applied in the production fields. During the last 3 years, 80 (farm 1) and 71 (farm 2) kg/ha/year of P-fertilizer was applied to meet the demand of the different crops and 56% (farm 1) and 58% (farm 2) of P-fertilizer was exported through the crops and livestock. P-recovery represented more than 50% on both farms. Around 60% of the P consumed by animals was excreted in the form of faeces and urine and the animal manure was used to produce organic compost. Therefore, most of the P consumed by the livestock was returned back to the field to serve as organic fertilizer. This study showed that circular agricultural practices can enhance P-recovery.
Internal mammary artery perforator flap in the management of tracheoesophageal fistulae
Authors: Kaur Amrita , Biswas Gautam
Published: January 2024

Background

A pathological communication between the trachea and oesophagus – a tracheoesophageal fistula – may be congenital or acquired, benign or malignant, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach. Conservative attempts at closure of this abnormal connection are ineffective; the interposition of healthy vascular tissue offers the least chance of recurrence.

Methods

Outcomes of an islanded fasciocutaneous internal mammary artery perforator flap applied for tracheoesophageal fistula management were assessed in four radiated patients with laryngeal carcinoma using retrospective records.

Results

Four male patients, with an average age of 60.75 years, underwent tracheoesophageal fistula closure between September 2017 and February 2021. A left-sided second internal mammary artery perforator flap was used in all cases, with an average dimension of 10.5 × 4.5 cm. There were no complications of tracheoesophageal leak, flap issues or donor site morbidity on follow up.

Conclusion

Recent advances in angiosomal territory mapping and microvascular dissection techniques, combined with an understanding of tracheoesophageal fistula pathology, have changed management perspectives in these difficult-to-treat patients.
Evaluation of the SsIR/NIE recombinant antigen ELISA for the follow up of patients infected by Strongyloides stercoralis: a diagnostic study
Authors: Prato Marco , Tamarozzi Francesca , Tais Stefano , Rizzi Eleonora , Mazzi Cristina , Buonfrate Dora
Published: January 2024

Some serology assays demonstrated useful for post-treatment monitoring of Strongyloides stercoralis infection. Serology frequently has low specificity, which might be improved by the use of recombinant antigens. The Strongy Detect ELISA is based on 2 recombinant antigens (SsIR and NIE) and proved good accuracy. Aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of this test for the post-treatment monitoring of strongyloidiasis. We tested 38 paired sera, with matched fecal tests results, stored in our biobank and originating from a randomized controlled trial. At baseline, all patients tested positive for at least 1 fecal assay among PCR, direct stool microscopy and agar plate culture. Patients were re-tested with both serology and fecal assays 12 months after treatment. Primary outcome was the relative reduction in optical density (OD) between baseline and follow up. We observed that about 95% samples showed a reduction between pre and post-treatment OD, with a median relative reduction of 93.9% (IQR 77.3%–98.1%). In conclusion, the test proved reliable for post-treatment monitoring. However, some technical issues, including that the threshold for positivity has not be predefined, and that a substantial number of samples showed overflow signals, need to be fixed to permit use in routine practice.
Explaining compliance with COVID-19 regulation in China and the United States: cultural biases, political trust, and perceptions of risk and protective actions
Authors: Yuan Meng , Mayorga Marcus , Johnson Branden B. , Swedlow Brendon
Published: January 2024

How do cultural biases, trust in government, and perceptions of risk and protective actions influence compliance with regulation of COVID-19? Analyzing Chinese (n = 646) and American public opinion samples (n = 1,325) from spring 2020, we use Grid–Group Cultural Theory and the Protective Action Decision Model to specify, respectively, cultural influences on public risk perceptions and decision-making regarding protective actions. We find that cultural biases mostly affect protective actions indirectly through public perceptions. Regardless of country, hierarchical cultural biases increase protective behaviors via positive perceptions of protective actions. However, other indirect effects of cultural bias via public perceptions vary across both protective actions and countries. Moreover, trust in government only mediates the effect of cultural bias in China and risk perception only mediates the effect of cultural bias in the United States. Our findings suggest that regulators in both countries should craft regulations that are congenial to culturally diverse populations.
The distributional and embodied contexts of verbs in caregiver-infant interactions
Authors: ZHANG Vivian Hanwen , CHANG Lucas M. , DEÁK Gedeon O.
Published: January 2024

The process by which infants learn verbs through daily social interactions is not well-understood. This study investigated caregivers’ use of verbs, which have highly abstract meanings, during unscripted toy-play. We examined how verbs co-occurred with distributional and embodied factors including pronouns, caregivers’ manual actions, and infants’ locomotion, gaze, and object-touching. Object-action verbs were used significantly more often during caregiver-infant joint attention interactions. Movement and cognition verbs showed distinct co-occurrences with different contexts. Cognition and volition verbs were differentiated by pronouns. These findings provide evidence for how verb acquisition may be supported by the distributional and embodied contexts in caregiver-infant interactions.
A one-step calibration method without redundant parameters for a laser stripe sensor
Authors: Mao Yang , He Yu , Yu Chengyi , Zhang Honghui , Zhang Ke , Sun Xiaojun
Published: January 2024

A laser stripe sensor has two kinds of calibration methods. One is based on the homography model between the laser stripe plane and the image plane, which is called the one-step calibration method. The other is based on the simple triangular method, which is named as the two-step calibration method. However, the geometrical meaning of each element in the one-step calibration method is not clear as that in the two-step calibration method. A novel mathematical derivation is presented to reveal the geometrical meaning of each parameter in the one-step calibration method, and then the comparative study of the one-step calibration method and the two-step calibration method is completed and the intrinsic relationship is derived. What is more, a one-step calibration method is proposed with 7 independent parameters rather than 11 independent parameters. Experiments are conducted to verify the accuracy and robust of the proposed calibration method.
Travelling Barricades: Transnational Networks, Diffusion and the Dynamics of 1980s Squatter Conflicts in Western Europe
Authors: van der Steen Bart
Published: January 2024

This paper reconstructs and compares four squatter conflicts in Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Copenhagen and Hamburg during the 1980s in which squatters defended themselves from eviction from occupied houses by barricading entire streets. Remarkable similarities can be observed in how these conflicts developed. Was this the result of international contacts between the squatters, of similarities between the cities, or did the construction of barricades set in motion more general dynamics that influenced protest dynamics? This paper warns against overestimating the influence of transnational activist networks. Although the conflicts unfolded in similar ways while squatters fostered international contacts, the latter alone do not suffice to explain the former. Instead, this paper highlights the ‘social function’ of the barricade and the inherent conflict dynamics that barricade building set in motion.
Physical activity and sedentary time after lifestyle interventions at the Norwegian Healthy Life Centres
Authors: Gryte Odin H. , Meland Eivind , Samdal Gro B. , Fadnes Lars T. , Vold Jørn H. , Mildestvedt Thomas
Published: January 2024

Aims:

This study evaluates long-term changes in physical activity and its associations with various predictors after a behavior change program at the Norwegian Healthy Life Centers.

Background:

Physical activity is recommended and is part of public health strategies to prevent noncommunicable diseases.

Methods:

This longitudinal cohort, based on a controlled randomized trial, studies a population of 116 Healthy Life Center participants in South-Western Norway who wore SenseWear Armbands to measure time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity and sedentary time based on metabolic equivalents. The measurements were obtained at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 24 months after baseline. Linear mixed model analyses were performed to assess predictors for change in physical activity and sedentary time.

Findings:

High physical activity levels at baseline were maintained during the 24-month study period. Young, male participants with good self-rated health, utilizing local PA facilities were most active, and young participants utilizing local facilities were also less sedentary. The participants with higher levels of education were less active initially but caught up with the difference during follow-up. A high degree of controlled regulation, characterized by bad conscience and external pressure, predicted more sedentary behavior and a trend toward being less physically active. Autonomous motivation was associated with less time spent on sedentary behaviors. People with high self-efficacy for physical activity were more sedentary initially but showed a reduction in their sedentary behavior.

The study supports the importance of attending local training facilities and adopting motivation for behavioral change that is not based on guilt and external rewards. Interventions aimed at improving physical activity among people at risk for noncommunicable diseases benefit from habitual use of local training facilities, strengthening their self-perceived health and the development of internalized motivation. However, it has not been shown to mitigate social health disparities.