bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implications of the Theory of Basic Human Values for the Second Demographic Transition: Interdependence and Individualism in the Era of Self-Fulfillment
Authors: Smallenbroek Oscar
Published: September 2023

I examine the implications of a modern psychological theory of values for the Second Demographic Transition (SDT). The SDT derives its values theory and measurement from Maslow, who noted that resource-rich environments cause value shifts towards personal-focused growth values. However, Maslow has been replaced by the theory of basic human values (TBHV) which distinguishes person and social-focused growth values. This distinction has two important implications for the SDT. First, some individualistic and self-expressive values identified by the SDT are not growth but basic need motivated and therefore functions of resource-poor environments. Second, the TBHV values on interdependence and independence are strongly influenced by gender and reflect preferences for family and care or career. Therefore, these values can be used to address critiques of the SDT based on the stalled gender revolution. I show that distinguishing values as described in the TBHV can be useful for the SDT. I find that benevolence (interdependence) is positively and openness to change (autonomy/stimulation) is negatively related to marriage in the Netherlands using longitudinal panel data and discrete event history models.
Relationship Between Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Parent Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Quality of Life and Social Support
Authors: Mannion Arlene , Leader Geraldine
Published: September 2023

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are a common comorbidity in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Little is known about the impact that GI symptoms have on parental well-being. Parents of 409 children and adolescents with ASD completed the GI Symptoms Inventory, Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, World Health Organization Quality of Life Abbreviated Version, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. High levels of stress were demonstrated by parents with 40.1% receiving clinically significant scores. A relationship was found between parental stress and GI symptoms. Parental anxiety and depression were found at high levels but were not more common in parents of individuals with GI symptoms than those without. Lower levels of quality of life were found in parents of individuals with GI symptoms compared to parents of individuals without GI symptoms. Parents of children with GI symptoms were less satisfied with their personal and social relationships with others. Parents of children with GI symptoms had lower scores on a measure of perceived social support than parents of children and adolescents without GI symptoms. GI symptoms are stressful for parents and future research is needed to determine how to alleviate this stress and to improve the quality of life of parents of individuals with ASD.
Synchronization in STDP-driven memristive neural networks with time-varying topology
Authors: Yamakou Marius E. , Desroches Mathieu , Rodrigues Serafim
Published: September 2023

Synchronization is a widespread phenomenon in the brain. Despite numerous studies, the specific parameter configurations of the synaptic network structure and learning rules needed to achieve robust and enduring synchronization in neurons driven by spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) and temporal networks subject to homeostatic structural plasticity (HSP) rules remain unclear. Here, we bridge this gap by determining the configurations required to achieve high and stable degrees of complete synchronization (CS) and phase synchronization (PS) in time-varying small-world and random neural networks driven by STDP and HSP. In particular, we found that decreasing P (which enhances the strengthening effect of STDP on the average synaptic weight) and increasing F (which speeds up the swapping rate of synapses between neurons) always lead to higher and more stable degrees of CS and PS in small-world and random networks, provided that the network parameters such as the synaptic time delay $$\tau _c$$

τ
c

, the average degree $$\langle k \rangle$$

⟨
k
⟩

, and the rewiring probability $$\beta$$
β
have some appropriate values. When $$\tau _c$$

τ
c

, $$\langle k \rangle$$

⟨
k
⟩

, and $$\beta$$
β
are not fixed at these appropriate values, the degree and stability of CS and PS may increase or decrease when F increases, depending on the network topology. It is also found that the time delay $$\tau _c$$

τ
c

can induce intermittent CS and PS whose occurrence is independent F. Our results could have applications in designing neuromorphic circuits for optimal information processing and transmission via synchronization phenomena.
Diurnal coastal trapped waves propagating along the east coast of the Shimokita Peninsula, Japan
Authors: In Teiji , Kuji Tomoyuki , Kofuji Hisaki , Nakayama Tomoharu
Published: September 2023

In this study, we investigated diurnal coastal trapped waves in the eastern coastal area of the Shimokita Peninsula near the Tsugaru Strait. The coastal trapped waves in this area have not yet been observed. We observed current velocities at three sites on the coast to clarify the propagation and seasonal features. We also used an ocean general circulation model to determine the detailed structure and the causes underlying the seasonal characteristics of the waves. The coastal trapped waves propagated southward along the coast from the strait, where significant tidal currents exist. Coastal trapped waves depend on cross-shelf length and stratification strength. The coastal trapped waves propagate as internal Kelvin waves from summer to early winter in the northern part of the peninsula (where the shelf is narrow) and as shelf waves in the southern part (where the shelf is wide). From late winter to spring, the coastal trapped waves practically disappear in the northern part of the peninsula owing to the vertical uniform density off the east coast and the small cross-shelf width in the northern part. In autumn, the tidal current flows north of the sill near Cape Shiriya at the eastern mouth of the straits owing to the northward shift of the Tsugaru Warm Current in the strait; thus, the coastal trapped waves along the Shimokita coast weaken.
Pose estimation for swimmers in video surveillance
Authors: Cao Xiaowen , Yan Wei Qi
Published: September 2023

Traditional models for pose estimation in video surveillance are based on graph structures, in this paper, we propose a method that breaks the limitation of template matching within a range of pose changes to obtain robust results. We implement our swimmer pose estimation method based on deep learning. We take use of High-Resolution Net (HRNet) to extract and fuse visual features of visual object and complete the object detection using the key points of human joint. The proposed model could be applied to all kinds of swimming styles throughout appropriate training. Compared with the methods that require multimodel combinations and training, the proposed method directly achieves the end-to-end prediction, which is easily to be implemented and deployed. In addition, a cross-fusion module is added between parallel networks, which assists the network to make use of the characteristics of multiple resolutions. The proposed network has achieved ideal results in the pose estimation of swimmers by comparing HRNet-W32 and HRNet-W48. In addition, we propose an annotated key point dataset of swimmers which was created from the view of underwater swimmers. Compared with side view, the torso of swimmers collected by the underwater view is much suitable for a broad spectrum of machine vision tasks.
Deep roots: implications for nitrogen uptake and drought tolerance among winter wheat cultivars
Authors: Odone Arnesta , Popovic Olga , Thorup-Kristensen Kristian
Published: September 2023

Background and aims

Deep roots are needed to allow uptake of nitrogen (N) and water available in the deeper soil layers, to help tolerate increasingly extreme climates. Yet few studies in the field have been able to identify genetic differences in deep roots and how this relates to N and water uptake. This study aimed to identify the relationship between deep roots and tolerance to drought, and how this varies by genotype and with differing N fertilization.

Methods

We grew 14 diverse genotypes of winter wheat in a semi-field facility in Denmark, in 2019 and 2020, with a soil depth gradient and a rain-out shelter to create a water stress. We used minirhizotron tubes reaching to 2.5 m depth to quantify differences in deep roots. We applied isotope tracers (15N and 2H labelled water) at 1.6-1.8 m at anthesis to assess differences in root function. Grain and straw 13C were used to assess drought stress.

Results

We found differences in deep roots between genotypes, and slightly less deep root growth when more N was applied. Deep roots were correlated with grain yield, uptake of deep-placed tracers of water and N, and tolerance to drought. Genotypes with deeper roots had the biggest decrease in water stress and increase in grain yield, when their roots had access to deeper soil.

Conclusion

Deeper roots were related to drought tolerance and increased yields. This suggests that deep rooting should be considered in future breeding efforts for more climate resilient crops.
Addressing Evaluation Barriers with Early Innovation Development for Adolescent-Focused Sexual and Reproductive Health Interventions
Authors: Wilson Kelly L. , Axelson Sarah , Garney Whitney R. , Garcia Kristen M. , Suellentrop Katy , Esquivel Christi H.
Published: September 2023

Most evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs focus on individual-level sexual health outcomes (e.g., STIs, pregnancy, teen births). To expand program and intervention approaches within teen pregnancy prevention (TPP), the Department of Health and Human Services funded two grantees, Innovative Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs (iTP3) and Innovation Next (IN) to support and enable early innovation to advance adolescent health and prevent teen pregnancy. The pipeline to support and enable innovation in adolescent health is complex, resulting in barriers and challenges to research and evaluation of novel programs. This paper presents some of the barriers encountered by the grantees. Data for this paper was collected from key personnel and secondary data sources. Focus group participants included seven representatives (n = 7) across the two organizations. Focus group questions assessed barriers related to innovative intervention development and evaluation. Key findings include four barriers to evaluation when fostering innovative adolescent-focused pregnancy prevention interventions. These included (a) funding constraints on evaluation activities, (b) innovation readiness for rigorous testing, (c) evaluation knowledge and expertise on innovation-development teams, and (d) challenges with evaluation requirements. Novel and promising system- and technology-focused interventions with the potential to impact TPP require alternative tools and approaches for evaluation. This would allow research to focus on how systems-level change mechanisms (i.e., policy, access to care) impact sexual risk behaviors and better understand ecological and social determinants of health for the priority population. The advancement of approaches to impact adolescent health identifies the need to expand the focus of evidence-based interventions beyond the adolescent themselves and understand approaches that impact external contexts and environments related to reducing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) risk-taking.
Online Sexual Harassment in Adolescence: A Scoping Review
Authors: Angela Franceschi , María-Luisa Rodríguez-deArriba , Annalaura Nocentini , Ersilia Menesini
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Sexual harassment is a complex behavior to study since it is characterized by various dimensions and definitions. Analyzing the characteristics and manifestations of this behavior in the online context, at such a vulnerable time as adolescence, is important to fully understand its nature, characteristics, and consequences.

Aims and Method

This work aims to systematize the information available in the literature, identify labels used to refer to online sexual harassment in the adolescent population, describe the definition of online sexual harassment taking into consideration specific criteria that emerge from the studies, and describe the operationalization of online sexual harassment. The literature search was conducted in November 2021 through four scientific databases: Scopus, PubMed, PsycInfo, and Web of Science. The initial search led to 20958 results: after eliminating duplicates, screening, and reading of full-texts, 65 papers were included in the review.

Results

The type of relationship between aggressor and victim, the use of abusive connotations, and the time frame of occurring behaviors are investigated in included studies. Moreover, different typologies of abuse have been described, by differentiating between studies that focus on the victim's point of view and studies that focus on the perpetrator’s point of view.

Conclusion

Online sexual harassment covers a wide range of behaviors using digital content (images, videos, posts, messages). Through this scoping review, it is possible to identify some key characteristics of this phenomenon: online sexual harassment has an abusive connotation, as it is perceived as unwanted by the victim, it can occur in three main typologies (verbal, visual, cybersex) and even a single episode is enough to experience victimization. In terms of relational behaviors, online sexual harassment includes unwanted sexual solicitations and non-consensual sharing.
Who Counts as a Sexual Subject? The Impact of Ableist Rhetoric for People with Intellectual Disability in Sweden
Authors: Bahner Julia , Gäddman Johansson Richard , Svanelöv Eric
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The ableist rhetoric around sexuality in disability services and beyond can hinder subjective sexual expression and have a powerful impact on health, self-esteem, and everyday life through internalized ableism, structural marginalization, and interpersonal discrimination. The aim of this study was to explore the ableist rhetoric of sexuality and its impact on sexual scripting for people with intellectual disability.

Methods

A thematic analysis was carried out on data generated through ethnographic fieldwork at five sheltered accommodations and semi-structured interviews with ten individuals with intellectual disability.

Results

The results show that people in Sweden with intellectual disability are desexualized within a moral order that is maintained in post-institutional social care. Through this moral order, which is deeply embedded in an ableist rhetoric about sexual relationships, sexual scripting for disabled people is constrained both inside post-institutional social care initiatives, and in the broader community of “ableist environments.” In response, disabled people employ various strategies of resistance.

Conclusions

A rhetoric of positive sexuality should be a guiding principle for successfully supporting the development of sexual agency on each individual’s own term.

Policy Implications

We conclude by encouraging the development of initiatives that will empower and support people with intellectual disability to learn about their sexual rights and to find solutions that allow for development of sexual agency and subjectivity.
Characterization and diagnosis spectrum of patients with cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis
Authors: Dyckhoff-Shen Susanne , Bewersdorf Jan P. , Teske Nina C. , Völk Stefanie , Pfister Hans-Walter , Koedel Uwe , Klein Matthias
Published: September 2023

Purpose

There is an overlap in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) characteristics of patients presenting with different etiologies of CSF pleocytosis. Here, we characterized patients with CSF pleocytosis treated in a large hospital.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of 1150 patients with an elevated CSF leukocyte count > 5 cells/µl treated at a university hospital in Germany from January 2015 to December 2017 was performed. Information on clinical presentation, laboratory parameters, diagnosis and outcome was collected. Clinical and laboratory features were tested for their potential to differentiate between bacterial meningitis (BM) and other causes of CSF pleocytosis.

Results

The most common etiologies of CSF pleocytosis were CNS infections (34%: 20% with detected pathogen, 14% without), autoimmune (21%) and neoplastic diseases (16%). CSF cell count was higher in CNS infections with detected pathogen (median 82 cells/µl) compared to autoimmune (11 cells/µl,p = 0.001), neoplastic diseases (19 cells/µl,p = 0.01) and other causes (11 cells/µl,p < 0.001). The CHANCE score was developed to differentiate BM from other causes of CSF pleocytosis: Multivariate regression revealed that CSF cell count > 100 cells/µl, CSF protein > 100 mg/dl, CRP > 5 mg/dl, elevated white blood cell count, abnormal mental status and nuchal rigidity are important indicators. The CHANCE score identified patients with BM with high sensitivity (92.1%) and specificity (90.9%) (derivation cohort: AUC: 0.955, validation cohort: AUC: 0.956).

Conclusion

Overall, the most common causes for CSF pleocytosis include infectious, neoplastic or autoimmune CNS diseases in ~ 70% of patients. The CHANCE score could be of help to identify patients with high likelihood of BM and support clinical decision making.
Hierarchical painter: Chinese landscape painting restoration with fine-grained styles
Authors: Xu Zhekai , Shang Haohong , Yang Shaoze , Xu Ruiqi , Yan Yichao , Li Yixuan , Huang Jiawei , Yang Howard C. , Zhou Jianjun
Published: September 2023

Image inpainting is a critical area of research in computer vision with a broad range of applications, including image restoration and editing. However, current inpainting models often struggle to learn the specific painting styles and fine-grained brushstrokes of individual artists when restoring Chinese landscape paintings. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a novel inpainting model specifically designed for Chinese landscape paintings, featuring a hierarchical structure that can be applied to restore the famous Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains with remarkable fidelity. The proposed method leverages an image processing algorithm to extract the structural information of Chinese landscape paintings. This approach enables the model to decompose the inpainting process into two separate steps, generating less informative backgrounds and more detailed foregrounds. By seamlessly merging the generated results with the remaining portions of the original work, the proposed method can faithfully restore Chinese landscape paintings while preserving their rich details and fine-grained styles. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that the proposed method represents a significant step forward in the field of image inpainting, particularly for the restoration of Chinese landscape paintings. The hierarchical structure and image processing algorithm used in this model is able to faithfully restore delicate and intricate details of these paintings, making it a promising tool for art restoration professionals and researchers.
Target benefit versus defined contribution scheme: a multi-period framework
Authors: Chen Ping , Yao Haixiang , Yang Hailiang , Zhu Dan
Published: September 2023

A target benefit plan (TBP) is a collective defined contribution (DC) plan that is growing in popularity in Canada. Similar to DC plans, TBPs have fixed contribution rates, but they also implement pooling of longevity and investment risk. In this paper, we formulate a multi-period model that incorporates two sources of risk – asset risk and labor income risk for active members. We present an optimal investment and retirement benefits schedule for TBP members with a fixed contribution rate. Using Australian data from 1965 to 2018, we evaluate the performance of the optimal TBP scheme and compare it to the optimal DC scheme. By adopting the benefit–investment strategy derived in this paper, we demonstrate the stability of benefit distribution over time for a TBP scheme in this stochastic formulation. To outperform the DC scheme’s benefit payment, careful consideration shall be given to the benefit target in the TBP scheme. A high target may not be achievable, while a low target can impede the accumulation momentum of the fund’s wealth in its early stages. Moreover, a TBP fund’s investment strategy is primarily influenced by the wealth target, with more aggressive investments in risky assets as the wealth target increases. This analysis may shed light on the possible improvements to retirement planning in Australia. Although the results are sensitive to the choice of model parameters, overall, the proposed TBP promotes system stability in various scenarios.
Strategies to reduce hospital-associated bloodstream infections in a limited resource setting: Preventing Infections in Neonates (PIN) collaborative
Authors: Kalu Ibukunoluwa C. , Curless Melanie S. , Ponnampalavanar Sasheela , Milstone Aaron M. , Ahmad Kamar Azanna
Published: September 2023

Background:

Hospitalized neonates are at high risk for hospital-associated bloodstream infections (HA-BSI) and require locally contextualized interventions to prevent HA-BSI.

Methods:

The Preventing Infections in Neonates (PIN) collaborative aimed to reach a 50% decrease in neonatal HA-BSI rates for a 27-bed Level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Using quality improvement (QI) methodologies, a multidisciplinary cross-cultural collaborative implemented phased and bundled interventions from July 2017 to September 2019. Descriptive statistics and statistical process control charts were used to analyze infection rates.

Results:

There were 916 admissions, 19,812 patient-days, and 4264 central line days in the NICU during the project period. Monthly baseline preintervention HA-BSI median rate was 3.95/1000 patient-days and decreased to 1.73/1000 patient-days (56% change) during the bundled interventions. Quarterly HA-BSI rates also decreased from the preintervention median of 4.5/1000 patient-days to 3.3/1000 patient-days during the intervention period (IRR 0.73; 95%CI 0.39, 1.36). Staff were highly compliant with hand hygiene and environmental cleaning. Through project efforts, compliance with bundle elements increased from 25% at baseline to a peak of 97% for central line (CL) insertion checklists and from 13% to a peak of 56% for CL maintenance checklists.

Conclusions:

Unit-based bundled interventions can reduce neonatal HA-BSI in limited resource settings. Future studies can assess similar practices in other units and the impact of the pandemic on interventions to reduce HA-BSIs.
Examining Factors Influencing Protective Actions Among Persons with Disabilities During the December 10–11, 2021, Tornado Outbreak in the United States
Authors: First Jennifer M. , Lee Sangwon
Published: September 2023

Objective:

This study examined various factors influencing protective actions among persons with disabilities exposed to the December 10–11, 2021, tornado outbreak in the US Midwest and Southeastern regions.

Methods:

Survey administration occurred 5 months following the tornado outbreak and included a total of 209 persons with disabilities who lived in one of the counties impacted by tornado warnings. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the direct and indirect effects of hypothesized predictors impacting protective behavioral actions.

Results:

Results found that persons with disabilities who had access to more tornado warning sources increased their protective actions, and tornado risk perception further mediated the relationship between warning information sources and protective actions. In addition, results found that persons with disabilities who encountered more situational barriers in their physical and social environment were found to have a decrease in protective action, and having more situational resources was found to contribute to the ability to take protective action.

Conclusions:

The current study’s results highlight the need for policies and practices that provide additional physical and social resources for persons with disabilities to seek protection during tornado threats.
Non-financial reporting and SMEs: A systematic review, research agenda, and novel conceptualization
Authors: Lisi Silvia , Mignacca Benito , Grimaldi Michele
Published: September 2023

Policymakers, academics, and practitioners are increasingly discussing non-financial reporting (NFR) initiatives, i.e., reporting initiatives that are related to environmental and social matters. The implementation of NFR initiatives in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is a key topic. Based on a systematic literature review, this article first synthesizes what we know about the mechanisms underlying NFR initiatives implemented by SMEs. A thematic analysis led to the identification and examination of drivers, enabling factors, and challenges for NFR initiatives. Relevant drivers include legitimacy-based motivations, competitive advantage, and stakeholder engagement. Enabling factors include specific guidelines and tools for NFR. Lack of capabilities and lack of standardization are significant challenges. Second, drawing on the thematic analysis and on what we do not know about NFR in the context of SMEs, a novel conceptualization of NFR as a process characterized by three main phases is presented. Last, this article suggests future research opportunities.
Generalized Kernel Regularized Least Squares
Authors: Chang Qing , Goplerud Max
Published: September 2023

Kernel regularized least squares (KRLS) is a popular method for flexibly estimating models that may have complex relationships between variables. However, its usefulness to many researchers is limited for two reasons. First, existing approaches are inflexible and do not allow KRLS to be combined with theoretically motivated extensions such as random effects, unregularized fixed effects, or non-Gaussian outcomes. Second, estimation is extremely computationally intensive for even modestly sized datasets. Our paper addresses both concerns by introducing generalized KRLS (gKRLS). We note that KRLS can be re-formulated as a hierarchical model thereby allowing easy inference and modular model construction where KRLS can be used alongside random effects, splines, and unregularized fixed effects. Computationally, we also implement random sketching to dramatically accelerate estimation while incurring a limited penalty in estimation quality. We demonstrate thatgKRLScan be fit on datasets with tens of thousands of observations in under 1 min. Further, state-of-the-art techniques that require fitting the model over a dozen times (e.g., meta-learners) can be estimated quickly.
Supplementation with antioxidants and phenolic compounds in ruminant feeding and its effect on dairy products: a systematic review
Authors: Avila-Nava Azalia , Medina-Vera Isabel , Toledo-Alvarado Hugo , Corona Luis , Márquez-Mota Claudia C.
Published: September 2023

Milk and dairy products have great importance in human nutrition related to the presence of different nutrients, including protein, fatty acid profile and bioactive compounds. Dietary supplementation with foods containing these types of compounds may influence the chemical composition of milk and dairy products and hence, potentially, the consumer. Our objective was to summarize the evidence of the effect of supplementation with antioxidants and phenolic compounds in the diets of dairy animals and their effects on milk and dairy products. We conducted a systematic search in the MEDLINE/PubMed database for studies published up until July 2022 that reported on supplementation with antioxidants and phenolic compounds in diets that included plants, herbs, seeds, grains and isolated bioactive compounds of dairy animals such as cows, sheep and goats and their effects on milk and dairy products. Of the 94 studies identified in the search, only 15 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The review revealed that supplementation with false flax cake, sweet grass, Acacia farnesiana, mushroom myceliated grains and sweet grass promoted an effect on the milk lipid profile, whereas supplementation with dried grape pomace and tannin extract promoted an effect on the milk and cheese lipid profiles. In six studies, the addition of Acacia farnesiana, hesperidin or naringin, durum wheat bran, mushroom myceliated grains, dried grape pomace and olive leaves increased the antioxidant activity of milk. In conclusion, supplementation with bioactive compounds had a positive impact which ranged from an increase in antioxidant capacity to a decrease in oxidative biomarkers such as malondialdehyde.
Suspicious Minds? Media effects on the perception of disability benefit claimants
Authors: Geiger Ben Baumberg
Published: September 2023

The media are often blamed for widespread perceptions that welfare benefit claimants are undeserving in Anglo-Saxon countries – yet people rarely justify their views through media stories, instead saying that they themselves know undeserving claimants. In this paper, I explain this contradiction by hypothesising that the media shapes how we interpret ambiguous interpersonal contact. I focus on disability benefit claimants, which is an ideal case given that disability is often externally unobservable, and test three hypotheses over three studies (all using a purpose-collected survey in the UK and Norway, n=3,836). In Study 1, I find strong evidence that a randomly-assigned ‘benefits cheat’ story leads respondents to interpret a hypothetical disability claimant as less deserving. Study 2 examines people’s judgements in everyday life, finding that readers of more negative newspapers in the UK are much more likely to judge neighbours as non-genuine – but with effectively no impact on judgements of close family claimants, where ambiguity is lower. However, contra my expectations, in Study 3 I find that Britons are no more likely than Norwegians to perceive known claimants as non-genuine (despite more negative welfare discourses), partly because of different conceptions of what ‘non-genuineness’ means in the two countries.
Accelerating transformations for a just, sustainable future: 10 ‘Must Haves’
Authors: Schlosser Peter , Rockström Johan , Edwards Clea , Mirazo Paula , Heilemann Adrian , Kitzmann Niklas H. , Krobjinski Siri L.
Published: September 2023

Non-technical summary

There is increasing evidence of extreme events and irreversible damage occurring faster than expected. Despite inescapable evidence of intersecting crises facing the Earth system and numerous efforts and agreements, global society is not on track to achieve its sustainability objectives. The 10 ‘Must Haves’ initiative aims to identify the pathways of accelerated systemic transformations needed across the globe toward a sustainable and just future where all can thrive on a healthy planet. In this Intelligence Briefing, the authors lay out the rationale for the project, the proposed targets, and set the stage for forthcoming work on action.

Technical summary

This Intelligence Briefing recognizes the urgent need for global-scale transformations to overcome the crises facing humanity. The ‘10 Must Haves Initiative’, conceptualized by The Earth League and the participants of the Global Futures Conference, aims to provide a framework for accelerated transformations to bridge the gap between pledges and action related to global challenges to stay within planetary boundaries and ensure a safe and just future for all. Each ‘Must Have’ represents targets within which a forthcoming report outlines the specific ‘must-do’ actions, relevant actors and considerations for successful implementation. The authors put forth that we must have a limit of global warming as close to 1.5°C as possible by 2050; an immediate halt and reversal of the loss of nature's functions and diversity; just economies that operate within planetary boundaries; equitable access to resources needed for human well-being; governance transformations to stay within planetary boundaries; healthy, safe, and secure food for the global population; the reconnection of human well-being to planetary health; an ethical digital world providing for human security and, a resilient global society ready to respond to planetary crises.

Social media summary

10 ‘Must Haves’ toward thriving future 4 all: global contingency plan toward transformation of unsustainable trajectory.
Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number and Heteroplasmy in Monozygotic Twins Discordant for Schizophrenia
Authors: Win Phyo W. , Singh Shiva M. , Castellani Christina A.
Published: September 2023

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a severe, complex, and common mental disorder with high heritability (80%), an adult age of onset, and high discordance (∼50%) in monozygotic twins (MZ). Extensive studies on familial and non-familial cases have implicated a number of segregating mutations and de novo changes in SZ that may include changes to the mitochondrial genome. Yet, no single universally causal variant has been identified, highlighting its extensive genetic heterogeneity. This report specifically focuses on the assessment of changes in the mitochondrial genome in a unique set of monozygotic twins discordant (MZD) for SZ using blood. Genomic DNA from six pairs of MZD twins and two sets of parents (N = 16) was hybridized to the Affymetrix Human SNP Array 6.0 to assess mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN). Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed for a subset of MZD pairs and their parents and was also used to derive mtDNA-CN estimates. The WGS data were further analyzed to generate heteroplasmy (HP) estimates. Our results show that mtDNA-CN estimates for within-pair and mother-child differences were smaller than comparisons involving unrelated individuals, as expected. MZD twins showed discordance in mtDNA-CN estimates and displayed concordance in directionality of differences for mtDNA-CN across all technologies. Further, qPCR performed better than Affymetrix in estimating mtDNA-CN based on relatedness. No reliable differences in HP were detected between MZD twins. The within-MZD differences in mtDNA-CN observed represent postzygotic somatic changes that may contribute to discordance of MZ twins for diseases, including SZ.
Ein neues Kodierschema als Basis für die klinische Beurteilung frühkindlicher Vokalisationen und Deep Acoustic Phenotyping
Authors: Kulvicius Tomas , Lang Sigrun , Widmann Claudius A. A. , Hansmann Nina , Holzinger Daniel , Poustka Luise , Zhang Dajie , Marschik Peter
Published: September 2023

Zusammenfassung: Theoretischer Hintergrund: Die frühe verbale Entwicklung ist vor allem in ihrer Entstehungsphase noch nicht vollständig verstanden. Fragestellung: lässt sich ein zuverlässiges, einfach anzuwendendes Kodierschema zur Klassifizierung frühkindlicher Vokalisationen definieren, das als Grundlage für die weitere Analyse der Sprachentwicklung anwendbar ist? Methode: In einer Längsschnittstudie mit 45 neurotypischen Säuglingen analysierten wir Vokalisationen der ersten 4 Lebensmonate. Audiosegmente wurden 5 Klassen zugeordnet: (1) Stimmhafte und (2) Stimmlose Lautäußerung; (3) Definiertes Signal; (4) Non-Target; (5) Nicht zuordenbar. Ergebnisse: Zwei Kodiererinnen mit unterschiedlicher Erfahrung erzielten ohne intensives Training hohe Übereinstimmung. Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung: Das reliable Schema kann in Forschung und Klinik für die effiziente Kodierung kindlicher Vokalisationen eingesetzt werden, als Grundlage für detaillierte manuelle und maschinelle Analysen.
Granularität beim Erzählen emotionaler Ereignisse im Kindes- und Erwachsenenalter
Authors: Bahn Daniela , Sommer Johanna , Schwarzer Gudrun , Kauschke Christina
Published: September 2023

Zusammenfassung: Theoretischer Hintergrund: Erzählungen erfordern neben der strukturellen auch eine affektive Gestaltung. Wie feinkörnig Gefühlszustände verbalisiert werden, variiert individuell und wird als emotionale Granularität (EG) bezeichnet. Fragestellung: Die Studie gibt Einblick in die Entwicklung der EG vom Kindes- bis zum Erwachsenenalter. Methode:18 VorschülerInnen (3 – 6 J., 11w), 15 SchülerInnen (7 – 10 J., 10w) und 20 Erwachsene (20 – 62 J.,10w) erzählten die Handlung emotionsgeladener Zeichentrickstummfilme. Ausdrücke für innere Zustände (AIZ) wurden kategorisiert und in einem Circumplex-Modell angeordnet. Ergebnisse: Alle Gruppen unterschieden sich in der Erzähllänge und der kategorienspezifischen Verwendung, jedoch nicht im Gesamtanteil der AIZ. Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung: Das kindliche Vokabular wies zwar eine geringere EG auf, war aber ab dem Vorschulalter ähnlich strukturiert. Die Ergebnisse unterstreichen die Bedeutung von Erzählungen für den Erwerb und die Verfeinerung von Emotionskonzepten.
Radar‐Derived Snowfall Microphysical Properties at Davis, Antarctica
Authors: Alexander S. P. , Protat A. , Berne A. , Ackermann L.
Published: September 2023

Antarctic precipitation remains poorly characterized and understood, especially within the boundary layer. This is due in part to a still‐limited amount of surface‐based remote sensing observations. A suite of cloud and precipitation remote‐sensing instruments including a W‐band cloud radar and a K‐band Micro Rain Radar (MRR) were used to characterize snowfall over Davis (69°S, 78°E). Surface snowfall events occurred when boundary layer wind speeds were weaker, temperatures were warmer, and relative humidity over ice higher than when virga were present. The presence of virga is associated with Föhn winds due to the location of Davis in the lee of an ice ridgeline. Dual wavelength ratio values from the summer indicate particle aggregation at temperatures of −14° to −10°C, consistent with observations made elsewhere, including in the Arctic. Riming frequency increases for temperatures above −10°C and reaches 6.5% at −3°C. No temperature dependence of rime mass fraction was found. Sublimation of snowfall mass aloft was 50% between the snow peak at 1.2 km and 205 m altitude, which occurs within CloudSat’s “blind zone.” Given the common prevailing wind direction and numerous ice ridgelines along much of the East Antarctic coastline, these Davis results can be used as a basis to further understand snowfall across the Antarctic region.
Statistical Properties of Lower Band Rising Tone Chorus Waves
Authors: He Jiabei , Xia Zhiyang , Chen Lunjin
Published: September 2023

Lower‐band chorus waves are known to play dual roles in radiation belt dynamics (electron acceleration and precipitation), and understanding their properties and excitation is very important. A systematic study of chorus waves properties in terms of background plasma parameters (electron perpendicular beta β⊥ and the ratio of plasma frequency to electron cyclotron frequency fpe/fce) has not been performed previously. We use burst‐mode data from Van Allen Probe A from 2012 to 2019 and develop an algorithm to extract individual lower band rising tone chorus elements. We statistically analyze four properties of rising tone chorus elements: time duration τ, frequency width Δf, chirping rate Γ, and maximum amplitude Ia. Statistical results show typical properties of chorus waves: Ia ∼ 0.09 nT, Δf ∼ 0.08fce, Γ ∼ 2 × 103 Hz/s, τ ∼ 0.015–0.25 s. On the nightside and dawnside, Γ shows wider spread and is more distributed over larger values, which is associated with the wider distribution of β⊥. Chorus waves at duskside and dayside have larger values of τ, associated with smaller β⊥ and larger fpe/fce. The dependence of chorus wave properties on background plasma parameters is also examined. We show that normalized Δf has positive correlation with β⊥ and fpe/fce. Normalized τ shows negative correlation with β⊥ and positive correlation with fpe/fce. Normalized Γ and Ia show positive correlations with β⊥ and negative correlations with fpe/fce. These results help us better understand chorus waves excitation and their relation to the microburst.
A Climatology of Dryline‐Related Convection on the Western Plateau of Subtropical Southern Africa
Authors: van Schalkwyk Lynette , Blamey Ross C. , Gijben Morne , Reason Chris J. C.
Published: September 2023

Drylines occur regularly during summer over the interior of sub‐tropical southern Africa. The highest frequency of drylines is over the western interior where it is also climatologically much drier than the eastern parts. An existing drylines data set is compared with lightning data between 2010 and 2021, to determine how often drylines were associated with convective storms. A minimum stroke threshold is applied to eliminate instances of weak convection. Seventy‐six percent of drylines during austral summer (October–March) were associated with significant convection with a standard deviation of 8.6. There is a peak frequency of 12 convective dryline days during December. Composite synoptic analyses were conducted for 591 convective and 186 non‐convective dryline days to determine the ideal formation environment for convective drylines. Composites were also created for the days leading up to convective and non‐convective drylines, showing the importance of moisture advection from the southwest Indian Ocean, through the Zambezi and Limpopo River Valleys. Early summers tend to be drier than late summers over the southern African interior and colder in the mid‐levels. These differences affect the formation environment of convective drylines. Composites show that dryline‐related convection during early summer tends to occur on days with a deep surface trough and a trough at 500 hPa further west. Convection during late summer is associated with increased surface moisture, higher instability, and a weaker trough at 500 hPa than during early summer.
Predictability of Extremely Pluvial Winters Over the Yangtze–Huai River Basin in China
Authors: He Jiaying , Doi Takeshi , Behera Swadhin , Luo Jing‐Jia , Yamagata Toshio
Published: September 2023

In the 2018–2019 winter, an unprecedented pluvial event occurred in the Yangtze‐Huai River Basin (YHRB), which is one of the most developed areas in China. This was a record over the past 40 years. Other notable events during this period were the events of the 2002–2003, 1997–1998, and 1989–1990 winters. This study aims to examine the ability of the Scale Interaction Experiment‐Frontier (SINTEX‐F) to predict these extremely pluvial winters and its predictability source. Extreme precipitation events in the 2018–2019 and 1997–1998 winters were reasonably well predicted 1 month earlier by the ensemble seasonal prediction system from deterministic and probabilistic perspectives. In contrast, the predictions of extremely pluvial winters in 2002–2003 and 1989–1990 were less skillful in some parts of the YHRB. The analysis of co‐variability of inter‐member anomalies suggested that the SST anomalies in the tropical western Indian Ocean (IO) and the tropical Pacific Ocean were responsible for the predictions of the 2018–2019 and 1997–1998 winters through increased low‐level moisture convergences in the YHRB as well as wave trains along the upper westerly jet. Limited performance in predicting the 2002–2003 and 1989–1990 events might be due to less accurate prediction of low‐level circulation around the YHRB associated with the SST anomalies in the tropical eastern IO, western IO, and the Pacific, respectively. Besides, atmospheric internal variability as well as model biases may also limit the deterministic prediction skills.
The Importance of Heat Storage for Estimating Lake Evaporation on Different Time Scales: Insights From a Large Shallow Subtropical Lake
Authors: Bai Peng , Wang Yongsheng
Published: September 2023

The change in heat storage (Gc) is an essential component of a lake's energy balance, and its importance for lake evaporation (Ew) has been widely recognized. However, the effect of Gc on Ew exhibits diversity across time dimensions. The controls on Gc and the effects of Gc on Ew estimates at different time scales remain largely unexplored. To address these gaps, we identified the primary controls on Gc at an eddy covariance site in a large shallow lake (Lake Taihu) and quantified the role of Gc in estimating Ew on three (hourly, daily, and monthly) time scales based on two energy balance‐based Ew models. Our results indicate that the diurnal variation of Gc is dominated by net radiation and peaks around noon, while the seasonal variation of Gc is mainly controlled by air temperature and peaks in spring. In contrast, the daily variation of Gc is subjective to a confluence of factors—net radiation, wind speed, and relative humidity—displaying more stochasticity than that on the other two time scales. We also found that the importance of Gc for Ew estimates decreases as the time scale extends. Compared to the two models disregarding Gc, considering the effect of Gc enhances the average Kling‐Gupta efficiency (KGE) values of the two models by 1.33, 0.42, and 0.08 on the three time scales, respectively. Overall, this study highlights the importance of time scales in evaluating the effect of Gc on Ew estimates.
Cardiometabolic risk profile among children with migrant parents and role of parental education: the IDEFICS/I.Family cohort
Authors: Lindblad Anna , Samkange-Zeeb Florence , de Henauw Stefaan , Solea Antonia , Veidebaum Toomas , Lauria Fabio , Moreno Luis A. , Iguacel Isabel , Molnár Dénes , Ahrens Wolfgang , Winkler Volker , Lissner Lauren , Mehlig Kirsten
Published: September 2023

Background and aims

Evidence shows that migrant children have a higher risk of developing obesity than those with native parents. We aimed to investigate the association between parental migration background and cardiometabolic health in children and adolescents in Europe.

Methods and results

We included 8745 children aged 2–17 from the second follow-up of the European IDEFICS/I.Family cohort. Linear regression models were used to investigate the association between parental migration background (one or two migrant parent(s) vs native parents) and body mass index (BMI), metabolic syndrome (MetS) score and its individual components. Outcome variables were parametrized as age and sex-specific z-scores. We adjusted for age, sex, country, and parental education, and additionally for parental income, lifestyle including dietary factors, and maternal BMI. On average, children with two migrant parents had higher z-scores of BMI (+0.24 standard deviation (SD)) and MetS score (+0.30 SD) compared to those with native parents, whereas no significant differences were seen for children with one migrant parent. Associations were attenuated when controlling for maternal BMI and sports club activity. Parental education modified the associations with BMI and MetS z-scores such that they were more pronounced in children with low parental education.

Conclusion

Children with two migrant parents were at higher risk for adverse cardiometabolic health compared to children with native parents, especially in families with low parental education. These associations were explained by lower physical activity and maternal body weight and encourages early intervention strategies by schools and communities.