bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinicolaboratory characteristics and one-year survival among group 1 pulmonary hypertension in a university hospital
Authors: Ahmed Mostafa K. , Tohamy Ali M. , Ali Mostafa H. , Seedik Mohamed I. , Wafy Safa M.
Published: December 2024

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a life-threatening disorder of the pulmonary vascular system that can lead to right-sided heart failure, respiratory failure, and death. Still, more knowledge is needed to understand this complex disease. The study objective is to evaluate the clinicolaboratory characteristics of group 1 pulmonary hypertension patients and their survival in Assiut University pulmonary hypertension Unit throughout the study time.
Patients and methods: Consecutive patients referred to Assiut University Chest Department Pulmonary Hypertension unit in collaboration with cardiology department for diagnosis and management. Patients were diagnosed as group 1 pulmonary hypertension (PH) included in the study. Patients' demographic data, clinical presentation, electrocardiography, laboratory data, invasive and noninvasive hemodynamics at presentation were recorded. The patients were followed through the study time to identify their survival.
Results: Out of 40 patients referred to the Pulmonary Hypertension unit throughout the study period, 29 patients have group 1 PH and were included. Their mean age was 44.10±15.14 years, most of them were females (86.2%), 44.8% of patients presented with WHO functional class II, 48.3% of patients with FC III, and 6.9% of patients with FC IV. The mean six minutes walking distance was 256.97±89.46 meters. Pulmonary artery catheterization hemodynamic parameters were mean pulmonary artery pressure 52.48±18.24 mmHg, pulmonary vascular resistance 13.32±7.31 WU, cardiac index 2.32±0.83 L/min/m2, and mixed venous oxygen saturation 59.6±7 %. The mean follow-up duration is 12.6 ± 8.8 months, and their survival at the end of study time was 82.35%. Serum uric acid, pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and age are predictors of disease progression and mortality.
Conclusion:
Group 1 pulmonary hypertension is an uncommon complex disease with a difficult early diagnosis. Its Clinical presentation varies from insidious breathlessness, syncope, palpitation, and obvious right heart failure. Some factors as serum uric acid, pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and age are associated with prognosis. 1-year survival was 82.35%.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT0479145.
Bilateral pseudo-disc changes in a minipig model for unilateral anterior disc displacement of the temporomandibular joint
Authors: Liu Wei , Bai Xiaofeng , Yuan Wenlin , Wang Cunyi , Hu Yijie , Yu Jianghang , Zhang Yi , Shi Jiejun
Published: December 2024

Objective
Current animal models of anterior disc displacement (ADD) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) have primarily been developed in small animals, using sutures or elastic bands to pull the disc anteriorly. These models often exhibit severe osteoarthritis (OA) and rapid progression to late-stage ADD, which do not accurately reflect the natural course of ADD in humans. This study aimed to establish a unilateral ADD-induced surgical protocol in a minipig model and evaluate the early changes of ADD.
Methods
Six Bama minipigs (12 joints) were divided into 3 groups: control group (CG), ADD experimental group (ADD-EG), and contralateral experimental group (CL-EG). Nickel-titanium coil springs were used to induce mild, sustained traction to anteriorly displace the TMJ discs. After a 5-week observation period, in-vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans confirmed the anterior position of the TMJ discs.
Results
Micro-computed tomography showed minimal condylar bone changes, while histological analysis revealed mild OA-like condylar cartilage changes. MRI identified hypointense lesions posterior to the TMJ discs, indicative of pseudo-disc changes in the posterior attachments (PAs). Histological staining further confirmed chondroid metaplasia in the PAs surrounded by transitional zones in both ADD-EG and CL-EG.
Conclusion
This study successfully established a unilateral ADD-induced minipig model and identified pseudo-disc changes in the PAs under abnormal mechanical stress, which may offer new perspectives for ADD therapies. To our knowledge, this is the first study to observe bilateral pseudo-disc changes in a unilateral ADD-induced model.
A Single-Cell Atlas of Coral Bleaching
Authors: Bonacolta Anthony , Snyder Grace , Karp Richard , Yeager Emily , Wen Alexandra , Dennison Caroline , Nonell Jordi , Traylor-Knowles Nikki , Baker Andrew , Campo Javier del
Published: December 2024

The symbiosis between corals and dinoflagellate algae is disrupted by heat stress, leading to bleaching. Recurring bleaching events, driven by the climate crisis, are causing massive coral mortality and threatening reefs worldwide. Despite its planetary scale impact, bleaching occurs at the cellular level. While much is known about the physiological and genomic responses of corals to bleaching, our understanding of it at the cellular level remains limited. Using single-cell transcriptomics, we show that individual coral and symbiont cells respond differently to thermal stress. In heat stress experiments with the coral Orbicella faveolata, hosting two co-dominant algal symbionts, we found that calicoblastic cells and cnidocytes were particularly susceptible, with nitrogen metabolism disrupted across all cell types. We also provide the first evidence of differing transcriptomic responses between symbionts with varying heat tolerances within the same coral host. Furthermore, we discovered that symbionts suppress the expression of heat stress related genes of their host cells. These findings reveal that coral cellular responses to bleaching are more complex and varied than previously thought. This study marks a starting point toward understanding the cellular dynamics of coral holobionts, shedding light on the mechanisms behind symbiosis breakdown, coral mortality, and ultimately, reef decline.
A Novel Hybrid Approach for Remaining Useful Life and Short Term Capacity Prediction of Lithium- ion Batteries
Authors: K Manimala , M Kalpana A
Published: December 2024

Accurately determining the remaining usable life of lithium-ion batteries is essential for effective battery management. This paper presents a novel hybrid method for predicting both the Remaining Useful Life (RUL) and short-term capacity of batteries, known as ZOA-MSVM, which integrates the Zebra Optimization Algorithm (ZOA) with Multi-kernel Support Vector Machine (MSVM). The objective of the paper is to provide precise forecasts of future capacities and RUL for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) while effectively managing uncertainty. The ZOA-MSVM model is trained using data from LIBs, leveraging the Zebra Optimization Algorithm to identify optimal kernel parameters, penalty factors, and weight coefficients for the MSVM model. This trained model predicts battery capacity and RUL by considering key factors such as capacity, current, and voltage during discharge operations. When compared to existing techniques, including artificial neural networks (ANN), ant lion optimizer-optimized ANN, and adaptive network-based fuzzy inference systems, the ZOA-MSVM method demonstrates improved performance with reduced errors during both charging and discharging. Notably, the uncertainty intervals produced by the ZOA-MSVM technique often encompass the actual remaining life of the battery, and its charging error is lower than that of other current methods. Utilizing the NASA battery dataset, an observed data sequence is generated for regression prediction. Results indicate that the enhanced algorithm significantly improves prediction accuracy and generalization ability, while also reducing training time and computational complexity.
A 4×256 Gbps Silicon Transmitter with On-Chip Adaptive Dispersion Compensation
Authors: Li Yu , Ran Shihuan , Guo Yu , Liu Yuanbin , Miao Ting , Wu Yangbo , Qin Yang , Guo Yuyao , Lu Liangjun , Zhu Yixiao , Zhuge Qunbi , Chen Jianping , Zhou Linjie
Published: December 2024

The exponential growth of data traffic propelled by cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things demands innovative advancements in optical communication technology. Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) has been instrumental in enhancing transmission rates within high-speed optical modules. However, as single-lane data rates surpass 200 Gbps in O-band transmission, chromatic dispersion in optical fibers emerges as a critical barrier, especially at wavelengths distant from the zero-dispersion point, such as 1271 nm. Here, we present a novel 4-channel silicon photonic transmitter capable of 1 Tbps aggregate data rate, featuring integrated on-chip adaptive dispersion compensation. This transmitter utilizes Mach-Zehnder modulators (MZMs) with adjustable input intensity splitting ratios, enabling precise control over the chirp magnitude and sign of the transmitted signal. By dynamically tuning the input splitting ratio between the MZM branches, we generate chirped signals that effectively counteract fiber dispersion at specific WDM wavelengths. Experimental demonstrations show successful transmission of 4 × 256 Gbps (4 × 200 Gbps) four-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM-4) signals over 5 km (10 km) of standard single-mode fiber at the high-dispersion wavelength of 1271 nm. The bit error ratios achieved are below the 7% hard-decision forward error correction (HD-FEC) threshold of 3.8 × 10-3, accomplished without resorting to power-intensive pre-emphasis techniques. To the best of our knowledge, this work represents the first demonstration of a silicon-based 1 Tbps transmitter with integrated on-chip adaptive dispersion compensation. Our results highlight a significant leap towards scalable, energy-efficient, and high-capacity optical interconnects, underscoring the potential of this technology in future local area network WDM (LAN-WDM) applications within data centers and high-performance computing systems.
ALW-YOLOV8n:A Lightweight underwater detector Enhanced by Attention mechanism, ADown Block and Wise-WIoU on YOLOv8n
Authors: Cai Shaobin , Zhou Xin , Wei Liansuo , Mo Yuchang
Published: December 2024

To date, general object detection methods have made significant progress in recognizing terrestrial scenes; however, identifying underwater organisms in underwater environments presents numerous challenges. The quality of underwater images is often affected by light attenuation and scattering, leading to blurring and loss of detail in the images. To address these challenges and further improve the accuracy of underwater object detection, this paper proposes an underwater object detection model based on an improved YOLOv8n, called ALW-YOLOv8n. Firstly, the ADown module is used to replace certain convolutional modules in the network, effectively reducing feature loss during the down-sampling process while also lowering computational costs. Secondly, in the backbone network, the LSKA module is integrated into the SPPF module, further enhancing the model's feature fusion capability. Finally, to address the limitations of the loss function, the CIoU loss function is replaced with the Wise-WIoU loss function to improve detection accuracy.The experimental results show that ALW-YOLOv8n performs exceptionally well on the URPC dataset, achieving an mAP@0.5 of 82.1%, which is 2.0% higher than the original YOLOv8n model, while reducing the number of parameters by 4.81%. Additionally, on the S-UODAC2020 dataset and the Aquarium dataset, ALW-YOLOv8n achieved 68.8% and 71.7% mAP@0.5, respectively. Finally, extensive experiments were conducted, and the results demonstrate that the model has broad applicability and generalization capabilities across different underwater datasets.
Efficient Photothermal Annealing of Carbon Quantum Dots
Authors: Lee Jae-Won , Yang Imjeong , Hong K. S. , Kim M. S. , Jung H. J.
Published: December 2024

To synthesize highly crystalline carbon quantum dots (CQDs), we established a two-step process that integrates hydrothermal reactions and photothermal annealing with a xenon flash lamp. A xenon flash lamp enabled rapid and uniform heating, effectively enhancing crystallinity in a way that contrasts with conventional furnace annealing, which requires extended processing times. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that the high-temperature environment with a xenon flash lamp facilitated the conversion of the amorphous carbon structure into a more ordered crystalline form of CQDs. A comparison of Raman spectra and photoluminescence (PL) of amorphous CQDs and crystalline CQDs revealed significant differences between the two states. PL intensity of the crystalline CQDs was approximately ten times higher than that of amorphous CQDs, and this notable difference highlights an advantage of crystallizing CQDs: their optical performance is significantly enhanced.
Refining linear trend estimates from one dimensional time series data with autoregressive covariance modelling - An application to GRACE total water storage time series data
Authors: Jendges Lukas , Brockmann Jan Martin
Published: December 2024

Deriving trend functions from observed time series is one of the main tasks in the field of signal processing. Separating the observation into a deterministic function, a stochastic residual signal and a stochastic noise component using dedicated model representations enables to further study these individual components, e.g. screening for climate signals.
Whereas the deterministic part is modelled as a linear combination of basis functions, the use of autoregressive processes to model the noise and signal is proposed. Within an iterative estimation scheme, the uncertainty information of the observed variables is properly modelled and carefully propagated to the resulting parameters. This enables the use of statistical testing and Least-Squares Collocation in further investigations of the separated signal components.
In this study, the proposed iterative procedure is applied to relatively short total water storage time series derived from measurements of the satellite mission GRACE. The trend in total water storage is for instance relevant for climate studies, identifying regions getting drier or wetter. Accounting for the aforementioned covariance information based on autoregressive processes allows to use Hypothesis tests to identify regions with significant trends. On the contrary, the smoothed stochastic signal components are required to identify extreme/anomalous events like floods and droughts in the observed time series.
Additionally, to improve the estimation of the stochastic signal, data from numerical models are used to estimate the process characteristics.
A low-protein calorie-restricted diet mitigates kidney injury in diabetic mice by modulating the gut-kidney axis
Authors: Zhang Ruixiang , Wei Xiao , Xu Yijiao , Han Chunrong , Cai Xiangzeng , Wu Yinling , Geng Yan , Liu Chao
Published: December 2024

Background: Dietary interventions are a promising strategy for restoring microbial balance in chronic kidney disease. Research indicates that a low-protein calorie-restricted (LPCR) diet can reduce renal injury in diabetic rodents. However, it is unclear whether the beneficial effects of LPCR diet in mice with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) are mediated through the modulation of the gut microbiota.
Methods: A mouse model of diabetes was established using high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin injection. Diabetic mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal protein (NP, 20% protein), caloric restriction (CR, 30% restriction), low protein (LP, 13% protein), and LPCR (13% protein, 30% restriction). After five weeks of intervention, blood and urine samples were collected for relevant analyses, faecal samples for gut microbiota analysis, and kidney tissues for histological and immunohistochemical assays，as well as Western blot analysis.
Results: LPCR diet significantly improved fasting blood glucose levels and lipid profiles (p < 0.01) and mitigated kidney damage in diabetic mice. Additionally, LPCR diet ameliorated gut microbiota dysbiosis, significantly suppressing the increase in Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (p < 0.05) and decreasing serum trimethylamine oxide(TMAO) levels (p < 0.01). Compared to the NP group, the LPCR group exhibited significant reductions in serum TNF-α levels and the expression of ASC, NLRP3, and IL-1β in kidney tissue (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: LPCR diet exerts renoprotective effects in mice with DKD, possibly by modulating the gut-kidney axis to reduce circulating TMAO levels, thereby inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation in kidney tissue.
Gender-Specific Determinants of Severe Obesity Among US Adults: Evidence from the NHANES Data
Authors: Budhathoki Nirajan , Inungu Joseph N.
Published: December 2024

Severe obesity results from a complex interplay of factors. Reports have revealed that women in the United States are disproportionately affected by severe obesity. This study examined the gender-specific risk factors contributing to severe obesity in men and women, emphasizing demographic, socioeconomic, personal and dietary habits, and underlying comorbidities. Data were obtained from the 2017–2020 cycle of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Multivariable logistic regression models were utilized to study gender-specific risk factors for severe obesity. The weighted prevalence of severe obesity among females aged 20 years and above was 11.9%, compared to 6.2% among males. Being a non-Hispanic Asian, having underlying high blood pressure, and arthritis were significantly associated with severe obesity for females. The 31–40 years age group, being a non-Hispanic Asian, and having underlying high blood pressure were significantly associated with severe obesity for males. Self-reported sleeping trouble was a risk factor when data for both sexes were combined. The study establishes several demographic characteristics and comorbidities as risk factors for severe obesity among US adults. Although sex itself is not a modifiable risk factor, understanding unique risk factors is important for designing gender-specific interventions to reduce the severe obesity burden.
Predicting Next-Day Rainfall Using Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Asim Mohammed , Hassan Owais Ul , Naved Mohammed
Published: December 2024

Predicting rainfall using physical models is inherently complex due to involvement of a large number of variables. Accurate and timely predictions of rainfall have the potential to mitigate human and financial losses. Machine learning techniques capture non-linear relationships between variables more effectively than traditional statistical methods. The major objective of the present research is to develop machine learning (ML) models based on logistic regression, decision trees, random forests, and artificial neural networks (ANNs) for predicting next-day rainfall using a comprehensive set of environmental variables. The effectiveness of these ML models was tested using an extensive dataset that comprises of 145460 instances containing 21 quantitative variables from 49 weather stations in Australia. Evaluation of model efficacy was conducted employing an array of performance metrics based on accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score. The findings indicate that the random forest model demonstrated superior performance compared to other techniques, with the ANN model exhibiting performance that was closely comparable. Random forest achieved the highest accuracy of 85.55% among the models considered and demonstrated strong precision (75.28%) along with a well-balanced F1-score of 56.11%. It can be concluded that the random forest model is an excellent choice for applications where both accuracy and robustness are essential.
Optimization of Growth Conditions for High-Ge-Content Si 1-x Ge x Epitaxial Layers Using Ultra-high-vacuum CVD for High-Performance Semiconductor Applications
Authors: Kim Ji-Hoon , Park Jea-Gun
Published: December 2024

As semiconductor devices scale down, integrating high Ge content Si1-xGex epitaxial layers has become crucial for enhancing device performance in Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM) and logic structures like Fin Field-Effect Transistors (FETs) and Gate-All-Around (GAA) FETs. This study investigates the growth of defect-free Si1-xGex layers using ultra-high vacuum chemical vapor deposition (UHV-CVD) with a focus on optimizing growth parameters, including temperature, gas ratios, and boron doping levels, to achieve high Ge concentrations and smooth surfaces. Growth experiments were conducted across temperatures from 450 °C to 700 °C, with optimal conditions observed at 530°C and a Si2H6 gas ratio of 1:4.2, producing a defect-free Si1-xGex layer with 46 at% Ge. Temperature effects revealed that managing hydrogen desorption rates were critical for enhancing Ge incorporation while minimizing defects. Strain-induced roughness was mitigated through precise control of Si2H6 ratios, essential at high Ge levels.
Boron incorporation was adjusted using diborane (B2H6) flow rates, where an optimal rate of 50 sccm resulted in a boron concentration of 2.7 x 1020 atoms/cm³, achieving a balance between dopant levels and surface smoothness. These findings highlight the importance of managing growth parameters to ensure both material stability and electrical properties, supporting the advancement of high-performance semiconductor devices with superior scalability and reliability.
Cortico-thalamic communication for action coordination in a skilled motor sequence
Authors: Huang Z. Josh , Li Yi , An Xu , Mulcahey Patrick J. , Qian Yongjun , Xu X. Hermione , Zhao Shengli , Mohan Hemanth , M.Suryanarayana Shreyas , Bachschmid-Romano Ludovica , Brunel Nicolas , Whishaw Ian
Published: December 2024

The coordination of forelimb and orofacial movements to compose an ethological reach-to-consume behavior likely involves neural communication across brain regions. Leveraging wide-field imaging and photo-inhibition to survey across the cortex, we identified a cortical network and a high-order motor area (MOs-c), which coordinate action progression in a mouse reach-and-withdraw-to-drink (RWD) behavior. Electrophysiology and photo-inhibition across multiple projection neuron types within the MOs-c revealed differential contributions of pyramidal tract and corticothalamic (CTMOs) output channels to action progression and hand-mouth coordination. Notably, CTMOs display sustained firing throughout RWD sequence and selectively enhance RWD-relevant activity in postsynaptic thalamus neurons, which also contribute to action coordination. CTMOs receive converging monosynaptic inputs from forelimb and orofacial sensorimotor areas and are reciprocally connected to thalamic neurons, which project back to the cortical network. Therefore, motor cortex corticothalamic channel may selectively amplify the thalamic integration of cortical and subcortical sensorimotor streams to coordinate a skilled motor sequence.
Prevalence of, and factors associated with hemodynamic instability among women presenting with incomplete abortion at a tertiary hospital in southwestern Uganda
Authors: Kakama Caxton , Agaba David Collins , Byamukama Onesmus , Kajabwangu Rogers , Akol Mathiang Agany , Muhumuza Amos , Businge Julius , Turanzomwe Stuart , Ainomugisha Brenda , Kalyebara Kato Paul , Kayondo Musa , Ngonzi Joseph , Muganwa Wasswa George , Lugobe Henry Mark
Published: December 2024

Background
Sub-Saharan Africa has a high abortion case-fatality rate and most of these maternal deaths are due to hemodynamic instability which results from hemorrhage, especially in cases of incomplete abortion. Timely identification and management of hemodynamic instability is an important strategy for addressing the morbidity and mortality associated with incomplete abortion. This study, therefore, aimed at determining the prevalence and factors associated with hemodynamic instability among women presenting with incomplete abortion at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH).
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study at the gynaecology ward of MRRH from January 2024 to April 2024. We consecutively enrolled women with incomplete abortion and collected data on socio-demographic, abortion- and medical-related factors, and measured their blood pressure and heart rate at admission. Obstetric shock index (OSI), the ratio of the heart rate to systolic blood pressure was used as a measure of haemodynamic stability. A participant whose OSI was ≥ 0.9 was considered haemodynamically unstable. We performed a modified Poisson regression analysis to determine the factors associated with hemodynamic instability.
Results
A total of 137 women with incomplete abortion were enrolled in this study with a mean age of 26.3 (± 5.93) years. The majority of the participants had first-trimester abortions (65.7%), were married (70.8%), and were from rural areas (60.0%). The prevalence of hemodynamic instability was 41.6% (95% CI: 33.6–50.1). At multivariable regression analysis, gestation age ≥ 13 weeks (aPR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.12–2.49) and post-abortion infection (aPR 1.75, 95%CI: 1.18–2.60) were significantly associated with hemodynamic instability.
Conclusion
A high proportion of women with incomplete abortion at MRRH present when they are hemodynamically unstable. Women with second trimester abortion and those with post-abortion infection are more likely to present with hemodynamic instability. We recommend strengthening routine assessment and management of hemodynamic instability among women with incomplete abortion.
A comparative analysis of heme vs non-heme iron administration: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Ruelas Mariano Gallo , Alvarado-Gamarra Giancarlo , Aramburu Adolfo , Dolores-Maldonado Gandy , Rodríguez Karen Cueva , Rojas-Limache Gabriela , Diaz-Parra Carmen del Pilar , Lanata Claudio F.
Published: December 2024

Background and purpose: Bioavailability studies and observational evidence suggest that heme iron (HI) may have greater impact on iron status indicators compared with non-heme iron (NHI). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to review the current evidence on the effect of the administration of HI compared with NHI for improving iron status in non-hospitalized population groups.
Methods: We searched Pubmed, CENTRAL, Scopus, Web of Science, and LILACS from inception to July 2024. There was no language restriction or exclusion based on age or iron status. Only randomized controlled trials comparing HI with NHI were considered. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to compare the effect of treatments for iron status indicators and total side effects (including gastrointestinal side effects). We measured the certainty of the evidence (CoE) using GRADE assessment.
Results: After screening 3097 articles, 13 studies were included. Most of the interventions used HI in low doses combined with NHI. The meta-analysis showed higher hemoglobin increases in children with anemia or low iron stores receiving HI (MD 1.06 g/dL; 95% CI: 0.34; 1.78; CoE: Very low). No statistically significant difference between interventions were found for any iron status indicator in the other population subgroups(CoE: Very low). Participants receiving HI had a 38% relative risk reduction of total side effects compared to NHI (RR 0.62; 95% CI 0.40; 0.96; CoE: Very low).
Conclusion: The current evidence comparing HI with NHI is very limited, preliminary findings suggest that interventions using HI may result in fewer side effects and may be superior in children with iron deficiency. However, given the very low certainty of the evidence, these results need further investigation through high-quality clinical trials.
Let Nature be your teacher: Caring for agricultural landscapes through a sense of place
Authors: Turner James , Henwood Roxanne , Tamahou Oriwa , Collins Heather , Stokes Simon
Published: December 2024

While the global agri-food system has fed a rapidly growing global population, industrialisation of agriculture is contributing to negative ecological and social outcomes. Strengthening humanity’s reciprocal relationship with the natural world has potential to address these negative outcomes. This paper focuses on the relationships a group of interviewed farmers have with the landscapes they farm and the responsibilities and actions that arise in care of these landscapes. We use an abductive approach to draw from the sense of place and care of place literatures in exploring interviews with these sheep, beef and deer farmers in the Upper Clutha of Aotearoa-New Zealand. Sense of place are the meanings and attachments held by these farmers toward the landscapes they farm. Care of place is who and what farmers feel responsibilities to and their motivations to care for agricultural landscapes. The analysis highlights a diversity of place meanings and attachments, and responsibilities in care of place among the farmers. The findings provide insights into how farmers’ different understandings of the relationship between nature and humans shape their place meanings when interacting with agricultural landscapes, and the actions they take in care of place. The few farmers who talked about sense of place as emergent through their interactions with the landscape referred to listening to landscapes to understand if the land was healthy. In care of place these farmers described activities and enterprises that contribute to the healthy ecological functioning of the landscape.
Enhancing Air Passenger Demand Forecasts through a Novel Approach Using Generalized Additive and Spatial Generalized Additive Models
Authors: Venkadavarahan Marimuthu , Raghavendran Ganesh , Rohith Murugan , Gunasekaran Karuppan
Published: December 2024

The aviation industry has experienced significant growth in recent decades, profoundly affecting global travel and economic development. Predicting Air Passenger Demand (APD) is essential for strategic planning in aviation, impacting route choices, fleet allocation, and pricing. This study utilises advanced statistical techniques, specifically Generalized Additive Models (GAM) and Spatial GAM, to analyse the complex determinants of APD, incorporating non-linear relationships and spatial dependencies. The research evaluates the impact of geoeconomic factors, service-related variables, and built-environment features on APD. Key determinants include population density, per capita income, GDP, flight frequency, airfare, travel time, tourist attractions and educational centres. The study uses comprehensive data from authoritative sources such as the Airports Authority of India and NITI Aayog, covering April 2019 to March 2023. Findings reveal that the GAM model explains 87.7% of APD variability, highlighting factors like year, population, airfare, flight duration, train fare, population density, tourist spots, and sports centres. The Spatial GAM model, with an adjusted R-squared value of 0.925 and 94.5% deviance, explained accounts for spatial variations and identified key interaction effects among various factors. These insights inform policy recommendations to enhance APD and ensure balanced urban development, including integrating urban planning with aviation infrastructure, adjusting pricing strategies, promoting tourism and recreational facilities, addressing socio-economic disparities, and enhancing connectivity and service frequency. This study provides a robust framework for better decision-making and strategic planning in aviation, supporting the development of effective policies to meet evolving passenger needs. Future research should explore long-term trends and emerging factors to understand APD dynamics further.
Assessing Joint Simulation and Estimation Approaches in Geometallurgical Modeling
Authors: Khorram Farzaneh
Published: December 2024

Given that energy costs are a significant component of overall processing costs in mineral plants, reducing these costs through process optimization or technology adoption enhances the technical and financial feasibility of a deposit. Geometallurgical modeling plays a key role in understanding the relationship between material characteristics, mine planning, and processing stages, ultimately contributing to more efficient resource management and cost reduction in mineral processing. This study aims to develop a block model for evaluating comminution energy consumption (CEC) and identifying blocks with the highest energy usage potential during the grinding process in a specified region. Therefore, by applying advanced geostatistical techniques, including joint estimation and simulation based on geometallurgical data from multiple mineral processing stages, we predict CEC across the study area. The dataset encompasses 2.754 drill samples and a block model with 4.680 blocks. In this effort, imulation techniques, such as Plurigaussian and Turning Bands, provided more realistic outcomes than cokriging, considering the unique characteristics of geometallurgical data and the limitations of kriging methods.
Hybride Subjektivität(en) in mediatisierten Welten als Bezugspunkte der ­erziehungswissenschaftlichen ­Medienforschung
Authors: Bettinger Patrick
Published: December 2024

Der Beitrag blickt kritisch auf das in der Medienpädagogik weit verbreitete Postulat des handlungsfähigen Subjekts und legt ein Konzept dar, das Subjektivität als hybrides Konstrukt menschlicher und medialer Entitäten begreift. Am Beispiel der qualitativen Medienbildungsforschung wird gezeigt, wie ein solcher Ansatz, dessen Fundament in den Praxistheorien sowie der Akteur-Netzwerk-Theorie liegt, auch empirisch anschlussfähig ist.
„Erfolgreich und souverän mit Daten umgehen“
Authors: Riettiens Lilli
Published: December 2024

Der Beitrag widmet sich kritisch der Konstruktion eines ,souveränen‘ Subjekts im Diskurs um den (pädagogischen) Umgang mit zunehmender Datafizierung im Bildungskontext. Offengelegt werden Optimierungslogiken und eine Diskrepanz zwischen einem Selbstbestimmungspostulat bei gleichzeitiger Orientierung an präskriptiv-normativen Kompetenzen. Der Beitrag schließt mit einem Vorschlag zur medienpädagogischen Beschäftigung mit Nicht-Souveränität und subjektiver Relationalität.
Studie: Wunsch nach mehr Perspektivenvielfalt in Nachrichten
Authors: Wütscher Swenja
Published: December 2024

Zwei Drittel der erwachsenen Internetnutzer*innen in Deutschland erwarten von den Nachrichtenmedien eine vielfältige Darstellung aktueller Themen, jedoch sehen weniger als die Hälfte diese Anforderung als gut erfüllt an. Dies sind zentrale Ergebnisse des Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2024. Obwohl die Mehrheit über das aktuelle Geschehen informiert bleiben möchte, zeigt sich ein deutliches Bedürfnis nach mehr Perspektiven.
Das Internet hat das Fernsehen als Hauptquelle für Nachrichten abgelöst: 42 Prozent der Befragten nutzen das Internet primär, lineare Fernsehsendungen liegen knapp dahinter (41 %). Besonders Soziale Medien gewinnen an Bedeutung, wobei 15 Prozent der Befragten und 35 Prozent der 18- bis 24-Jährigen ihre Nachrichten hauptsächlich über Plattformen wie TikTok, Instagram und YouTube beziehen. Kurze Online-Nachrichtenvideos sind ein Trend: 49 Prozent der erwachsenen Internetnutzer*innen sehen sich mindestens einmal pro Woche solche Videos an. Diese Entwicklung unterstreicht die wachsende Relevanz von Bewegtbildinhalten in der Nachrichtenvermittlung.
Die Studie zeigt jedoch auch eine steigende Skepsis gegenüber Nachrichten in Sozialen Medien. Besonders auf TikTok haben 41 Prozent Schwierigkeiten, vertrauenswürdige von unzuverlässigen Nachrichten zu unterscheiden. Insgesamt äußern 42 Prozent Bedenken, Falschmeldungen von Fakten unterscheiden zu können. Vertrauen in Nachrichten hängt laut den Befragten stark von der Transparenz der Medien und hohen journalistischen Standards ab. 74 Prozent legen Wert darauf, dass Medien klar kommunizieren, wie Nachrichten entstehen. Auch eine faire und unvoreingenommene Berichterstattung sowie die Repräsentation verschiedener gesellschaftlicher Gruppen sind wichtige Faktoren für das Vertrauen.
Dem Einsatz von Künstlicher Intelligenz (KI) im Journalismus wird überwiegend mit Skepsis begegnet. Die Hälfte der Befragten fühlt sich bei überwiegend durch KI erstellten Nachrichten unwohl. Junge Erwachsene zeigen zwar eine größere Offenheit gegenüber KI-generierten Nachrichten, begegnen politischen Informationen aus KI-Quellen aber mit ähnlicher Skepsis wie ältere Befragte.
Der Report basiert auf einer repräsentativen Befragung von fast 100.000 Personen aus 47 Ländern. Die deutsche Teilstudie, durchgeführt vom Leibniz-Institut für Medienforschung | Hans-Bredow-Institut, befragte rund 2.000 Personen im Januar 2024. Unterstützt wurde die Erhebung von den Landesmedienanstalten und dem ZDF.
https://hans-bredow-institut.de
Himalayan Leucogranites: Rare-metal Resources
Authors: Wu Fu-Yuan , Liu Xiao-Chi , Hu Fang-Yang , Xie Lei , Wang Ru-Cheng
Published: December 2024

Himalayan leucogranites were once overlooked for rare-metal resources because they initially were thought to have formed by in-situ partial melting of underlying high-grade metamorphic rocks. However, recent findings have revealed widespread rare-metal mineralizations of Be, Nb/Ta, Li/Rb/Cs, and W/Sn associated with leucogranites in the area, suggesting these mineralizations resulted from extensive fractionation of leucogranitic magmas during long-distance magma transport along the low-angle South Tibetan Detachment System. When combined with coeval Au-Sb-Pb/Zn mineralizations in the Himalayas of the Indian plate, and porphyry Cu-Mo mineralizations in the Gangdese of the Asian plate, a specific Himalayan-type mineralization is proposed to describe the metallogenesis related to the exhumation of the subducted Indian continent, coinciding with the uplift of the Himalayan mountains.
Back matter.
Authors: Gingrich II K. Fred
Published: December 2024

Back matter
American Veterinary Medical Association advertisement
Authors: Gingrich II K. Fred
Published: December 2024

Advertisement from the AVMA
Pre- and post-effect of COVID-19 on the insurance industry: A study based on Romanian companies
Authors: Macovei Anamaria-Geanina , Popelo Olha , Zhavoronok Artur , Dankiewicz Robert , Gabriela Cosmulese Cristina , Popova Liubov
Published: December 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental effect on the global economy, including the insurance industry. It has forced financial markets to confront a new risk directly related to the virus’s rapid spread. Therefore, the paper aims to determine possible risks or opportunities that insurance companies may encounter, considering both pre- and post-pandemic phases. For this purpose, financial data of 110 Romanian insurance companies for 2016–2022 were analyzed. The topfirme platform was used in the data collection process. Subsequently, based on statistical analysis methods, an econometric model was developed to evaluate the turnover for insurance companies in Romania. When developing the model equation, establishing dependent and independent variables based on the Altman model or the Z-model of bankruptcy prediction was considered. Thus, the findings indicate that employees are the primary factor in these businesses’ proper operation and increased profitability. It is emphasized that turnover directly depends on these variables since the number of employees is a variable around which incomes and expenses fluctuate. Turnover is affected positively or negatively depending on employee productivity and workload, which can lead to increased revenues and decreased costs, or vice versa. Accordingly, an insurance company’s HR department should resolve issues that crop up during the shift to telemedicine, enhance workers’ digital skills, provide them with moral and psychological support, and foster stable working relationships. It should also implement strategies to sustain and raise employee engagement levels, fortify control measures, and alter internal communications.
On the Existence and Uniqueness of a Positive Solution to a Boundary Value Problem with Symmetric Boundary Conditions for One Nonlinear Fourth-order Ordinary Differential Equation
Authors:   Dagestan State University (DSU), Abduragimov Gusen Elderkhanovich
Published: December 2024

The paper considers a boundary value problem with symmetric boundary conditions for one nonlinear fourth-order ordinary differential equation on the segment $[0,1]$, which describes the deformation of an elastic beam. Using special topological means in semi-ordered spaces with a cone, based on the fixed point principle, sufficient conditions for the existence and uniqueness of a positive solution to the problem under study are established. The proof of the existence of at least one positive solution to the boundary value problem was carried out using the index of the operator's fixed point. To prove the uniqueness of the solution, the theorem on fixed points of alpha-concave operators - was accordingly used.
REFUGIADOS NO BRASIL
Authors: Gustavo Knoerr Fernando , Alves de Souza Larissa , Belin de Moura Cordeiro Eros , Pinhel Ribeiro Karla
Published: December 2024

O presente artigo tem como objetivo apresentar aspectos legais e institucionais das práticas migrantes de refugiados no território brasileiro na contemporaneidade. Na primeira parte, expõe-se os elementos principais da Lei 9.474/1997 e da Lei 13.445/2017, buscando esclarecer o panorama legislativo acerca do direito dos refugiados no Brasil. Na segunda parte, busca-se apresentar as medidas para o acolhimento de refugiados no Brasil, com ênfase no processo de solicitação de refúgio. Por fim, busca-se contribuir com uma abordagem sobre as ações, medidas e instituições para maior inclusão dos refugiados no país, entendendo a importância também da participação da sociedade civil, por meio de organizações não governamentais, sociedades empresárias e instituições religiosas para garantir a efetivação dos direitos e a construção de uma sociedade mais inclusiva e acolhedora para os refugiados no Brasil.
O ANALFABETO POÉTICO
Authors: Barros José D'Assunção
Published: December 2024

´´Poesia, para a seção Poiésis
MULHER-PROFESSORA BAIANA DIANTE DA FORMAÇÃO IMPOSTA EM SERVIÇO
Authors: Da Costa Gláucia Rejane
Published: December 2024

No presente estudo discutimos a formação continuada de professores de Língua Portuguesa em serviço, proposta no Pacto pelo Ensino Médio, como parte de um projeto para a sua domesticação. Tal discussão, apoiada em Geraldi (2015) e Louro (2001), entre outros, comporta a feminização da docência. Apoiados na Análise de Discurso Francesa (AD), analisamos os discursos das professoras, objetivando verificar como se constituem esses sujeitos e os efeitos de sentido produzidos, na sua relação com a formação proposta. Para análise dos textos, coletados em entrevistas semiestruturadas, procedemos, conformeOrlandi (2001), a sua dessuperficialização e os reportamos à exterioridade. Em seguida, esse discurso é remetido a uma Formação Discursiva das quais derivam os seus sentidos. Finalmente, compreendidas a produção dos sentidos e a constituição dos sujeitos, atingem-se os processos discursivos. Nesse percurso metodológico, verificamos no discurso desses sujeitos-professoras o efeito de resistência e rejeição à atividade formativa proposta. Constituem-se, desse modo, maus-sujeitos, segundo a classificação Pecheutiana, nessa relação conflituosa.
SOBRE A INVENÇÃO DA TERRA
Authors: Bezerra de Lima Jr. Tarcísio , Antônio Batista Ozaias
Published: December 2024

Franco Farinelli nasceu em 6 de maio de 1948 em Ortona, Itália. Geógrafo por formação basilar e também doutor em Geografia Humana, busca em seus estudos e produção científica uma interdisciplinaridade entre áreas da história, filosofia, comunicação e geografia. Farinelli compreende a geografia como uma ciência ampla e alinhada à perspectiva da Escola das Mentalidades (Annales), aproximando a sua perspectiva a da visão humanista e analítica do ser humano como agente formador e inventor de espaços.
APRESENTAÇÃO
Authors: Miranda Clementino Maria do Livramento
Published: December 2024

Apresentação
CULTURA: TRAGÉDIA, GRANDEZA E NEGATIVIDADE
Authors: De Oliveira Silva Tadeu , Araújo de Maria Anne Caroline
Published: December 2024

Resenha sobre o livro "A tragédia da cultura: Cultura, grandeza negativa", de Georg Simmel e Teixeira Coelho.
NECROPOLÍTICA E BIOPODER:
Authors: dos Santos Silva Carlijaniele , De Assis Luan Amador , Coelho Márcia Andrea
Published: December 2024

O presente trabalho propõe uma discussão sobre a necropolítica relacionando-a ao biopoder a partir de uma reflexão sobre a obra A História da Sexualidade [1976 (1999)] de Michel Foucault. O poder de ditar quem pode viver e quem deve morrer trabalhado por Achille Mbembe, em Necropolítica. Biopoder, soberania, estado de exceção, política da morte (2018), ajuda a pensar sobre como se construíram e se legitimaram os discursos antivacinas do governo Bolsonaro no Brasil. Para isso, são propostas uma revisão bibliográfica e a análise de discursos disponíveis nas redes on-line, jornais e revistas de grande circulação. Este estudo objetiva apresentar os conceitos de necropolítica e biopoder diretamente relacionados ao cenário pandêmico recentemente vivenciado. A reflexão acerca da atuação dos gestores no tocante não só a tomada de decisões, mas principalmente à forma como essas ações foram postas em prática torna-se indispensável na análise sociológica a que nos propomos.
COROA E O PARAFUSO, ROSCA SEM FIM
Authors: Miguel Marcelo Calderari
Published: December 2024

Como ensinar a reflexão relevantes em Ciências Sociais? Como propiciar um novo encontro entre a poesia e a América Latina?  A poesia, ou texto lírico, é uma das sete artes tradicionais, pela qual a linguagem transmite sociais mensagens com fins estéticos ou críticos.  A composição poética trata sobre algumas demandas direcionadas à Dignidade e a vida.
A ECOLOGIA HUMANA E A CRIMINOLOGIA AMBIENTAL
Authors: Rodrigues Francisco Xavier Freire , Silva Alexandro Caetano da
Published: December 2024

A problemática à que buscamos responder com este artigo é qual a contribuição da ecologia humana e da criminologia ambiental para a compreensão do crime como um fenômeno social? O objetivo geral do artigo é o de relacionar a ecologia criminal da Escola de Chicago com as teorias criminológicas da Criminologia Ambiental. Com o fim de atingirmos tal objetivo geral, definimos dois objetivos específicos: no primeiro buscamos analisar a dinâmica do crime, procurando saber como, por que, quando e onde o crime ocorre, a partir de uma perspectiva multidisciplinar, envolvendo aspectos sociológicos, econômicos, psicológicos e, até mesmo, arquitetônicos; já no segundo expomos cada teoria do crime compreendida na criminologia ambiental demonstrando como o ambiente imediatamente considerado relaciona-se diretamente com a ocorrência criminal. Ao final concluímos que o crime é um fenômeno social, mas que necessita da vontade do agente para ser realizado, logo é necessária uma escolha racional para sua ocorrência. A metodologia utilizada é a da abordagem qualitativa com pesquisa bibliográfica e documental.
MOTORISTAS E ENTREGADORES EM LUTA CONTRA A UBERIZAÇÃO
Authors: Moreira Zamora Martín Andrés
Published: December 2024

A uberização do trabalho apresentou um crescimento exponencial no cenário brasileiro e atualmente responde por mais de 1,5 milhão de postos de trabalho. A maior parte desses encontra-se no setor de transportes de pessoas e objetos. O contexto de altas taxas de desemprego, crescimento da inflação e congelamento dos preços aplicados pelas organizações proprietárias das plataformas gerou insatisfação entre motoristas e entregadores por aplicativo, situação que contribuiu para a formação de protestos massivos em julho de 2020. O CITA é uma pequena organização que atua na região metropolitana de Porto Alegre e assumiu um papel de protagonista nas mobilizações locais do “breque dos apps”. A partir de um estudo de caso com coleta por meio de entrevistas e análise das publicações do grupo em redes sociais e inspirado no estudo de caso ampliado de Burawoy (1998), destaca-se, neste trabalho , o papel de pequenas organizações localizadas fora do sudeste brasileiro para a construção de mobilizações nacionais na luta contra a uberização do trabalho.