bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Analytical Solution for Saturable Absorption in Pharmacokinetics Models
Authors: Sorzano C.O.S. , Moreno M.A. Perez-de-la-Cruz , Vilas J.L.
Published: December 2022

Objective

The first-order absorption is a common model used in Pharmacokinetics. The absorption of some drugs follows carrier mediated transport. It has been proposed that the amount of drug available may saturate the transport mechanism resulting in an absorption slower than the one predicted by the first-order model. Saturable absorption has been modeled at the differential equation level by substituting the constant rate absorption by a Hill kinetics absorption. However, its exact solution is so far unknown. The goal of this is to know the exact solution of different Hill kinetic absorption models.

Methods

We start defining different absorption models and increasing then their complexity. The simplest case is the first-order absorption model and the most complex will be a generalized Hill kinetic absorption model. The differential equation of each model is integrated.

Results

The complexity of the models their solutions may be not expressed in a close-form, or in term of elementary functions. We obtain and discuss the exact solutions of the different Hill kinetics absorption models. To do that, the solutions are studied according to the possible values of the free parameters of the models. We show the differences between models through simulations.

Conclusions

The knowledge of closed-form solutions allows to illustrate the differences between the different absorption models and minimizes the errors of numerical integration.
Grief and the non-death losses of Covid-19
Authors: Richardson Louise , Millar Becky
Published: December 2022

Articles in the popular media and testimonies collected in empirical work suggest that many people who have not been bereaved have nevertheless grieved over pandemic-related losses of various kinds. There is a philosophical question about whether any experience of a non-death loss ought to count as grief, hinging upon how the object of grief is construed. However, even if one accepts that certain significant non-death losses are possible targets of grief, many reported cases of putative pandemic-related grief may appear less plausible. For instance, it might be argued that many of these losses are temporary or minor and therefore unlikely to be grieved, and that the associated experiences are phenomenologically dissimilar to grief. In this article, as well as discussing the more general question about the coherence of the idea of non-bereavement grief, we address these obstacles to taking reports of pandemic non-bereavement grief to be literal and true. In particular, we argue that some may have experienced grief over even apparently minor losses during the pandemic. This is generally so, we suggest, only insofar as experiences of such losses form part of an overarching grief process directed at some broader significant loss. Thus, we cast light on both the nature of non-bereavement grief and the kinds of disruption and loss experienced during the pandemic.
Vulnerability, Disability, and Agency: Exploring Structures for Inclusive Decision-Making and Participation in a Responsive State
Authors: Mustaniemi-Laakso Maija , Katsui Hisayo , Heikkilä Mikaela
Published: December 2022

By unpacking some of the dichotomies inherent in the concepts of vulnerability and disability, the article problematises some of the current legal approaches to disability in Finland. It argues that where used to single out population groups or individuals due to their embodied characteristics, the vulnerability paradigm can be seen to create binaries both among the persons with disabilities, and between the “vulnerable” persons with disabilities and the perception of a rational, self-standing and autonomous human being. To mitigate such binaries, the article explores an agency-centred discourse of vulnerability, one that recognises the co-existence of agency and vulnerability and sees agency as dynamic and responsive to the societal support structures that surround all of us. One of the central arguments of the article is that generalised approaches do, however, not suffice to make agency a reality for all persons with disabilities. Given the extensive diversity of intra-group variations between persons with disabilities, individualised solutions are needed for agency to be possible for all. To overcome objectification and de-agencification – and to enhance agency – this diversity of situations, needs and contexts of lived-in realities of individuals also needs to be expressly reflected in the legal language in addressing disability.
GParareal: a time-parallel ODE solver using Gaussian process emulation
Authors: Pentland Kamran , Tamborrino Massimiliano , Sullivan T. J. , Buchanan James , Appel L. C.
Published: December 2022

Sequential numerical methods for integrating initial value problems (IVPs) can be prohibitively expensive when high numerical accuracy is required over the entire interval of integration. One remedy is to integrate in a parallel fashion, “predicting” the solution serially using a cheap (coarse) solver and “correcting” these values using an expensive (fine) solver that runs in parallel on a number of temporal subintervals. In this work, we propose a time-parallel algorithm (GParareal) that solves IVPs by modelling the correction term, i.e. the difference between fine and coarse solutions, using a Gaussian process emulator. This approach compares favourably with the classicpararealalgorithm and we demonstrate, on a number of IVPs, that GParareal can converge in fewer iterations than parareal, leading to an increase in parallel speed-up. GParareal also manages to locate solutions to certain IVPs where parareal fails and has the additional advantage of being able to use archives of legacy solutions, e.g. solutions from prior runs of the IVP for different initial conditions, to further accelerate convergence of the method — something that existing time-parallel methods do not do.
Flexible tree-structured regression models for discrete event times
Authors: Spuck Nikolai , Schmid Matthias , Heim Nils , Klarmann-Schulz Ute , Hörauf Achim , Berger Moritz
Published: December 2022

Discrete hazard models are widely applied for the analysis of time-to-event outcomes that are intrinsically discrete or grouped versions of continuous event times. Commonly, one assumes that the effect of explanatory variables on the hazard can be described by a linear predictor function. This, however, may be not appropriate when non-linear effects or interactions between the explanatory variables occur in the data. To address this issue, we propose a novel class of discrete hazard models that utilizes recursive partitioning techniques and allows to include the effects of explanatory variables in a flexible data-driven way. We introduce a tree-building algorithm that inherently performs variable selection and facilitates the inclusion of non-linear effects and interactions, while the favorable additive form of the predictor function is kept. In a simulation study, the proposed class of models is shown to be competitive with alternative approaches, including a penalized parametric model and Bayesian additive regression trees, in terms of predictive performance and the ability to detect informative variables. The modeling approach is illustrated by two real-world applications analyzing data of patients with odontogenic infection and lymphatic filariasis.
The Impact of Thermochemical Exhaust Energy Recovery Using Ethanol-Gasoline Blend on Gasoline Direct Injection Engine Performance
Authors: Mardani Moloud , Herreros Jose , Tsolakis Athanasios
Published: December 2022

Thermochemical exhaust energy recovery in a modern gasoline direct injection engine is investigated using ethanol-gasoline blend (E25) and gasoline, as base fuel. The primary objectives of this research are focused on reducing carbonaceous emissions as well as improving thermal efficiency and fuel economy in combustion engines. These are consistent with the global commitment to lessen carbon emissions and meet environmental regulations and agreements.

The possibility of hydrogen production through catalytic reforming of mentioned fuels using actual exhaust composition is investigated on full-scale Rh (Rhodium)—Pt (Platinum) catalysts. ANSYS-Chemkin is utilized for thermodynamic equilibrium analyses based on the Gibbs energy minimization method to explore the key reaction pathways for E25 reforming. Main reforming parameters including steam to carbon molar ratios and reforming temperatures are selected to investigate the feasibility of ethanol-gasoline blend reforming as well as to identify the reformate composition and evaluate the whole process efficiency. The results revealed that the presence of ethanol in reforming fuel mixture facilitates endothermic reactions and improves hydrogen-rich mixture, particularly at high engine load conditions where maximum heat recovery is obtained. Furthermore, E25 fuel reforming helped achieving up to 16% greater CO2 compared to gasoline fuel reforming under the same engine condition. Overall, the experimental results of full-scale reforming tests using E25 can be accredited for effective implementation of the reforming technique in practical application.
Hantavirus Brno loanvirus is highly specific to the common noctule bat (Nyctalus noctula) and widespread in Central Europe
Authors: Dafalla Maysaa , Orłowska Anna , Keleş Sinan Julian , Straková Petra , Schlottau Kore , Jeske Kathrin , Hoffmann Bernd , Wibbelt Gudrun , Smreczak Marcin , Müller Thomas , Freuling Conrad Martin , Wang Xuejing , Rola Jerzy , Drewes Stephan , Fereidouni Sasan , Heckel Gerald , Ulrich Rainer G.
Published: December 2022

Bat-associated hantaviruses have been detected in Asia, Africa and Europe. Recently, a novel hantavirus (Brno loanvirus, BRNV) was identified in common noctule bats (Nyctalus noctula) in the Czech Republic, but nothing is known about its geographical range and prevalence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the distribution and host specificity of BRNV by testing bats from neighbouring countries Germany, Austria and Poland. One thousand forty-seven bats representing 21 species from Germany, 464 bats representing 18 species from Austria and 77 bats representing 12 species from Poland were screened by L segment broad-spectrum nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or by BRNV-specific real-time RT-PCR. Three common noctules from Germany, one common noctule from Austria and three common noctules from Poland were positive in the hantavirus RNA screening. Conventional RT-PCR and primer walking resulted in the amplification of partial L segment and (almost) complete S and M segment coding sequences for samples from Germany and partial L segment sequences for samples from Poland. Phylogenetic analysis of these nucleotide sequences showed highest similarity to BRNV from Czech Republic. The exclusive detection of BRNV in common noctules from different countries suggests high host specificity. The RNA detection rate in common noctules ranged between 1 of 207 (0.5%; Austria), 3 of 245 (1.2%; Germany) and 3 of 20 (15%; Poland). In conclusion, this study demonstrates a broader distribution of BRNV in common noctules in Central Europe, but at low to moderate prevalence. Additional studies are needed to prove the zoonotic potential of this hantavirus and evaluate its transmission within bat populations.
Elucidation and characterization of QTLs for Russet formation on apple fruit in ‘Honeycrisp’-derived breeding germplasm
Authors: Powell Ashley A. , Kostick Sarah A. , Howard Nicholas P. , Luby James J.
Published: December 2022

Russet formation in apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) is a superficial skin disorder that detracts from fruit appearance and therefore is a breeding target in many apple scion breeding programs. Previous studies have reported quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for russet formation, but these results have been limited to a narrow genetic background, which reduces breeding utility. In this study, 14 breeding parents were represented in 13-full sib families, nine of which were ‘Honeycrisp’-derived while the other four were derived from ‘Minneiska’, an offspring of ‘Honeycrisp.’ Two previously reported QTLs, on linkage group (LG) 2 and LG6, were confirmed and characterized for the first time in ‘Honeycrisp’-derived germplasm. Five other putative QTLs were also detected. The QTLs characterized in this study could be targeted for DNA test development to be used in marker-assisted selection. Non-additive interactions were observed at and between the LG2 and LG6 QTLs. Future work should include validation of QTL and haplotype effects in other germplasm, development of trait-predictive DNA tests for use in apple breeding programs, and exploration of genome-wide prediction models for russet formation.
The Relationship of Kidney Function, Cardiovascular Morbidity, and All-Cause Mortality: a Prospective Primary Care Cohort Study
Authors: Korhonen Päivi E. , Kiiski Sem , Kautiainen Hannu , Ojanen Seppo , Tertti Risto
Published: December 2022

Background

Lower-than-normal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is associated with the risk for all-cause mortality and adverse cardiovascular events. In this regard, the role of higher-than-normal eGFR is still controversial.

Objective

Investigate long-term clinical consequences across the levels of eGFR calculated by the creatinine-based Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation among apparently healthy cardiovascular risk subjects.

Design

Prospective study.

Participants

Participants (n=1747) of a population-based screening and intervention program for cardiovascular risk factors in Finland during the years 2005–2007.

Main Measures

Cardiovascular morbidity and all-cause mortality.

Key Results

Over the 14-year follow-up, subjects with eGFR ≥105 ml/min/1.73 m2 (n=97) had an increased risk for all-cause mortality [HR 2.15 (95% CI: 1.24–3.73)], incident peripheral artery disease [HR 2.62 (95% CI: 1.00–6.94)], and atrial fibrillation/flutter [HR 2.10 (95% CI: 1.21–3.65)] when compared to eGFR category 90–104 ml/min after adjustment for cardiovascular and lifestyle-related risk factors. The eGFR category ≥105 ml/min was also associated with a two-fold increased mortality rate compared to the Finnish general population.

Conclusions

Renal hyperfiltration defined as eGFR ≥105 ml/min/1.73 m2 is a frequent and important finding in patients commonly treated in primary care. These patients should be followed closely for timely interventions, such as strict BP and blood glucose regulation.
Stable expression and control parameters in the numerical simulation of unsaturated flow
Authors: Zhang Zhiyuan , Li Xu , Wu Yongkang , Li Xiaokang
Published: December 2022

The Richards’ equation describes the flow phenomenon in unsaturated porous media and is essential to hydrology and environmental science. This study evaluated the numerical stability of two different forms of the Richards’ equation. Sensitivity analyses were performed to investigate the control parameters of the equation. The results show that the h-form Richards’ equation has better applicability for calculating variable saturation flows than the θ-form Richards’ equation. For the h-form Richards’ equation, the hydraulic conductivity of the soil in the low-suction range and the specific moisture capacity in the high-suction range primarily influenced the solution. In addition, sensitivity analyses indicated that the saturated hydraulic conductivity, initial condition, and air-entry pressure have a higher sensitivity to the simulation results than the saturated water content, rainfall intensity, and decline rate of hydraulic conductivity. Moreover, their correctness needs to be guaranteed first in numerical simulations. The research findings can provide a helpful reference for improving the reliability of numerical simulations of unsaturated flows.
Fisher information for generalized Rayleigh distribution in ranked set sampling design with application to parameter estimation
Authors: Shen Bing-liang , Wang Shuo , Chen Wang-xue , Chen Meng
Published: December 2022

In the current paper, we considered the Fisher information matrix from the generalized Rayleigh distribution (GR) distribution in ranked set sampling (RSS). The numerical results show that the ranked set sample carries more information about λ and α than a simple random sample of equivalent size. In order to give more insight into the performance of RSS with respect to (w.r.t.) simple random sampling (SRS), a modified unbiased estimator and a modified best linear unbiased estimator (BLUE) of scale and shape λ and α from GR distribution in SRS and RSS are studied. The numerical results show that the modified unbiased estimator and the modified BLUE of λ and α in RSS are significantly more efficient than the ones in SRS.
A simulation study of hydraulic fracturing design in carbonate reservoirs: a middle east oilfield case study
Authors: Yang Jing , Liu Hui , Xu Wei , Liu Fang , Fang Yanjun , Jin Rongrong , Li Junjian
Published: December 2022

The interactions between hydraulic fracture morphology and fluid transport mechanisms after large-scale fracturing in low-permeability carbonate reservoirs are important factors that could impact post-fracturing productivity. Using an integrated geology-engineering approach that consists of hydraulic fracturing and reservoir simulation, this paper presents the detailed hydraulic fracturing simulation and design of a low-permeability carbonate reservoir in the Middle East based on sweet spot mapping. The fracturing protocol is determined based on productivity charts, which are obtained via sweet spot mapping of the target carbonate reservoir. The daily production of a horizontal well in the reservoir shows an increase from 870 to 2000 bbl/d after the hydraulic fracturing design and implementation, which is the highest among the existing production wells in same oilfield. The results are shown to be consistent with the proposed productivity chart, which suggests that the implemented workflow could be helpful for the large-scale fracturing implementation of similar carbonate reservoirs.
WNT5A-ROR2 axis mediates VEGF dependence of BRAF mutant melanoma
Authors: Coupe Nicholas , Guo Lina , Bridges Esther , Campo Leticia , Espinosa Olivia , Colling Richard , Marshall Andrea , Nandakumar Ashwin , van Stiphout Ruud , Buffa Francesca M. , Corrie Pippa G. , Middleton Mark R. , Macaulay Valentine M.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Despite recent advances, approximately 50% of patient with metastatic melanoma eventually succumb to the disease. Patients with melanomas harboring a BRAF mutation (BRAFMut) have a worse prognosis than those with wildtype (BRAFWT) tumors. Unexpectedly, interim AVAST-M Phase III trial data reported benefit from adjuvant anti-VEGF bevacizumab only in the BRAFMut group. We sought to find mechanisms underpinning this sensitivity.

Methods

We investigated this finding in vitro and in vivo using melanoma cell lines and clones generated by BRAFV600E knock-in on a BRAFWT background.

Results

Compared with BRAFWT cells, isogenic BRAFV600E clones secreted more VEGF and exhibited accelerated growth rates as spheroids and xenografts, which were more vascular and proliferative. Recapitulating AVAST-M findings, bevacizumab affected only BRAFV600E xenografts, inducing significant tumor growth delay, reduced vascularity and increased necrosis. We identified 814 differentially expressed genes in isogenic BRAFV600E/BRAFWT clones. Of 61 genes concordantly deregulated in clinical melanomas ROR2 was one of the most upregulated by BRAFV600E. ROR2 was shown to be RAF-MEK regulated in BRAFV600E cells and its depletion suppressed VEGF secretion down to BRAFWT levels. The ROR2 ligand WNT5A was also overexpressed in BRAFMut melanomas, and in ROR2-overexpressing BRAFV600E cells MEK inhibition downregulated WNT5A and VEGF secretion.

Conclusions

These data implicate WNT5A-ROR2 in VEGF secretion, vascularity, adverse outcomes and bevacizumab sensitivity of BRAFMut melanomas, suggesting that this axis has potential therapeutic relevance.
Evaluation of fungicides for management of boxwood blight caused by Calonectria spp. under field conditions in Northern Germany
Authors: Brand Thomas , Beltz Heinrich , Adhikari Urmila , Daughtrey Margery , Luster Douglas G. , Kong Ping , Hong Chuanxue
Published: December 2022

Fungicide protection is the current approach for management of boxwood blight caused by Calonectria pseudonaviculata (Cps) and C. henricotiae (Che). However, published studies evaluating fungicides under field conditions have been focused on Cps. The objective of this study was to evaluate fungicides in Northern Germany where both Cps and Che were present. Three trials were conducted between 2006 and 2016. In 2006, plants were artificially inoculated with a conidial suspension, while infested soil and plant debris were added to a different field as inoculum for the 2012 trial and this field was used again without further addition of inoculum in 2015. Fungicides were applied one to five times and assessments were done three to six times, depending upon the trial. The highest level of disease severity occurred in 2015 (0.91), while the lowest occurred in 2012 (0.01). Among the fungicides evaluated in 2006, preventive sprays of Cercobin FL, Switch, Harvesan, Pugil 75 WG, Dithane NeoTec and Euparen M WG were most effective, with blight control above 65%. In 2012, all treatments including Askon, Cabrio Top, Malvin WG, Dithane NeoTec and Osiris showed > 75% blight control. In 2015, Bayer Rosen-Pilzfrei Baymat and Switch were the most effective (> 82%). Extended in-season blight control was also observed with some fungicides. Additionally, a few fungicides that were evaluated in more than 1 year showed reduced effectiveness over time. This study filled several major knowledge gaps especially regarding fungicide efficacy against Che under field conditions and thus provides crucial information for developing chemical control strategies.
Elite Recreation Specialization and Motivations among Birdwatchers: The Case of Club 300 Members
Authors: Randler Christoph
Published: December 2022

Recreationists differ in their engagement, specialization and involvement in their leisure activity. Recreation specialization can be seen as a continuum from the novice to the highly advanced (or as a career process), sometimes grouped into three or four categories. Within the highest category of advanced recreationists, a specific hard-core, elite or devotee segment was identified. In this study, the highly specialized or elite segment of birdwatchers was addressed. Therefore, members of the Club 300 (in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland), were studied in comparison to non-members. Members of the Club 300 are required to have observed about 300 bird species in their respective country. Scales on recreation specialization, motivations and involvement were applied. A general linear multivariate model revealed a significant influence of Club 300 membership on the total set of the different dimensions with an eta-squared of 0.315, representing a high effect size. Subsequent uni-variate analyses showed that members differed from non-members significantly in all dimensions. Thus, Club 300 members fulfil the requirements of an elite segment because they differ in knowledge and behavior, as well as in their motivations from other birdwatchers.
A hybrid algorithm for adjusting the input parameters of the wirecut EDM machine in order to obtain maximum customer satisfaction
Authors: Haghshenas Gorgani Hamid , Jahazi Ali , Jahantigh Pak Alireza , Shabani Sharif
Published: December 2022

This study presents an algorithm to optimally adjust the input parameters of the wirecut to align its output with the customer’s expectations. For this, AHP and QFD are used to identify and prioritize customer needs in the form of a desirability function. Then, using the Taguchi method, variance analysis, and regression, a fitness function is prepared and optimized by the multi-objective genetic algorithm. Through a case study, the proposed method is validated in terms of flexibility, simplicity, speed, cost-effectiveness, and updateability. Also, customer satisfaction is calculated for two groups of 45 people, with and without using the proposed method. The growth of the customer satisfaction index (CSAT) from 57.6 to 70.3, and the customer satisfaction score from 30.2 to 54.2, show the positive performance of the method. This converts regular customers into loyal ones. It also makes them encourages others to use the mentioned services and widen the customer network. It is clearly seen in the growth of the net promoter score from 6.67 to 31.11. All in all, it can be said that this algorithm helps the survival, profitability, and expansion of an industrial organization.
Exhaustible resource use under endogenous time preference
Authors: Maeda Akira , Nagaya Makiko
Published: December 2022

This paper revisits a classical economic topic of exhaustible resource use on the basis of recent developments in time preference and discount factor models. An analysis of the effects of endogenous time preferences on the dynamic properties of resource use is conducted, contrasting the classical Hotelling results. More specifically, we develop an analytical model that incorporates endogenous time preference into the decision framework of resource consumption. It is expected that the results obtained here not only contribute to the literature of pure economic theory, but also to recent climate policy debates on discounting factors.
Comparison of Epithermal Kaolin Deposits from the Etili Area (Çanakkale, Turkey): Mineralogical, Geochemical, and Isotopic Characteristics
Authors: Ercan Hatice Ünal , Ece Ö. Işık , Çiftçi Emin , Aydın Ayça
Published: December 2022

Hydrothermal solutions related to magmatic intrusions that occurred during the Oligo-Miocene resulted in advanced multi-stage alterations and, to varying degrees, kaolinization over a wide area of the Biga Peninsula. The most important formations in these kaolin deposits occurred along the NE–SW-trending Çan-Etili-Bayramiç fault zone. The Bahadırlı, Duman, and Çaltıkara quarries are well preserved kaolin deposits throughout these fault zones located within the Çan Volcanics. Mineralogical, geochemical, and isotopic analyses were performed to identify the environments of formation of kaolins and the origin of the hydrothermal solution that led to the formation of these deposits.

The mineralogical assemblages of each of the quarries differ from each other. The Bahadırlı kaolin quarry comprises kaolinite + alunite ± quartz ± smectite ± plagioclase ± K-feldspar. The Çaltıkara kaolin deposits consist of kaolinite + quartz + alunite ± iron-oxide and ore minerals. The Duman kaolin quarry was considered in two different slopes as a hanging wall block and a footwall block, and the blocks contain kaolinite + quartz + plagioclase ± smectite and kaolinite ± alunite ± smectite ± quartz ± plagioclase ± K-Feldspar ± gypsum, respectively. During petrographic investigations, it was observed that kaolinization occurred generally in K-feldspar and plagioclase phenocrysts and partially in the matrix. Mineralogical and micromorphological investigations revealed that the kaolin group includes the dioctahedral minerals kaolinite and halloysite. According to the trace element contents of the kaolinites, the Çaltıkara and Bahadırlı deposits had a hypogene origin, while the Duman deposit had a supergene origin. δ18O isotopic values of kaolinites ranged from +10.3 to +18.3‰. δ34S isotopic values ranged from –17.2 to +20.2‰ of alunite, galena, and pyrite minerals, which indicate different formation environments for the kaolin quarries. 40Ar/39Ar dating of alunite revealed that the timing of acid-sulfate alteration was compatible with the magmatic intrusions. All these data revealed the mineralogical, chemical, and isotopic differences caused by the effect of different hydrothermal processes in three kaolin deposits located on the same fault zone, close to each other and similar in age.
Remote and In-Person Learning: Utility Versus Social Experience
Authors: Photopoulos Panos , Tsonos Christos , Stavrakas Ilias , Triantis Dimos
Published: December 2022

The massive transition from in-person to remote teaching increased the impact of technology on the everyday life of the universities. Without the face-to-face component, learning and teaching became a completely different experience for students and teachers. Recording the attitudes and perceptions of the undergraduate students on the new situation became necessary for the faculties to support them effectively. This research collected quantitative and qualitative data from 336 students of all the years of studies. The students preferred in-person teaching and reported higher engagement, learning, and understanding during classroom teaching. More senior students, who had developed face-to-face ties with their colleagues before the pandemic, found it easier to continue their interactions remotely. They were interested in matching learning with the duties and needs at the particular period of their life, despite their beliefs concerning the effectiveness of in-person teaching. The first-year students found it challenging to develop relationships remotely, and they were the most frustrated. Overall, students in the first years of their studies perceived remote teaching as dissatisfactory compared to the more senior students. Similar to other publications, the respondents of this study challenged the effectiveness of remote teaching and the concomitant transition from in-person to remote social relationships.
The Study on Cervical Cancer Burden in 127 Countries and Its Socioeconomic Influence Factors
Authors: Xu Tingting , Yang Xueling , He Xiaoning , Wu Jing
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To explore the relationship between cervical cancer burden and HDI and other socioeconomic influence factors in 127 countries.

Methods

Dividing 127 countries into low-, medium-, high-, ultrahigh-HDI groups, and using statistical method to compare the prevalence trend of cervical cancer in different HDI country groups. Then selecting mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) to measure the cancer burden as the dependent variable, HDI and other socioeconomic factors selected from 2020 Human Development Report as independent variables, and using multi-regression model to analyze the correlation between variables.

Results

Countries with higher HDI were found to have lower prevalence and mortality of cervical cancer, and vice versa. Besides that, air and water pollution, government-coordinated spending, and the intimate partner of 15–49-year-old women and girls have positive correlation impact on cervical cancer burden.

Discussion

The cancer prevention and control policies in countries with high HDI have achieved relatively ideal implementation effects. Countries with relatively backward social and economic development level, cancer prevention and control policies had little effect, such as lower HPV vaccination coverage, poor regional health resource allocation, and week public education awareness. Therefore, cervical cancer control plan must be integrated into national strategies and implemented in people-oriented comprehensive health services.
The nexus between carbon emission, energy use, and health expenditure: empirical evidence from Bangladesh
Authors: Raihan Asif , Farhana Sadia , Muhtasim Dewan Ahmed , Hasan Md Ahsan Ul , Paul Arindrajit , Faruk Omar
Published: December 2022

Bangladesh is facing a conundrum in figuring out how to improve public health while simultaneously reducing the environmental pollution. To alleviate the pressure from the high healthcare expenditure in Bangladesh, environmental management efforts to improve the quality of the environment need to be developed with the help of understanding the nexus between carbon emission, energy use, and health expenditure. In a society that is experiencing quick and difficult environmental problems due to rising energy demand, the current study focused on evaluating the effects of carbon dioxide emissions, fossil fuel energy use, and renewable energy use on health expenditure in Bangladesh. Time series data were analyzed from the year 2000 to 2020 using the Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares technique. The findings revealed that a 1% increase in carbon dioxide emissions and fossil fuel energy use will increase health expenditure by 0.95% and 2.67%, respectively. Furthermore, a 1% increase in renewable energy use may result in reduced health expenditure by 1.44% in the long run. This article provides policy recommendations to ensure environmental sustainability and healthcare facilities by lowering carbon emission in Bangladesh. This research would be helpful for designing a proactive health scheme to counteract the emerging health consequences of environmental pollution in Bangladesh.

Graphical Abstract
The mechanism of switching direction of swirling sloshing waves
Authors: Chen Bang-Fuh , Wu Chih-Hua , Faltinsen Odd Magnus
Published: December 2022

Swirling waves frequently occur in a three-dimensional tank under a nearly resonant excitation with oblique excitation angle. The oblique excitation produces two excitation components and the secondary component triggers rotational waves. The detailed mechanism of the switch in circular direction is clearly described in this study. The evolution of the hydrodynamic forces (Fz) on the tank walls presents a beating phenomenon and the switch direction always occurs at the peak and trough of the envelope of the Fz history. The external excitation moment changes the circulation intensity, and finally the swirling wave becomes a single-direction wave, but only for a short time. The profile of the single-direction wave was determined by the dominant sloshing mode and the instantaneous tank motion was found to be a key factor to determine the consequent swirling flow circulating direction.
National wellbeing and macro talent management revisited: issues of convergence and moderating role of natural resource endowment in developing countries
Authors: Anlesinya Alex , Amponsah-Tawiah Kwesi , Adom Philip Kofi , Damoah Obi Berko Obeng
Published: December 2022

Management scholarship targeted at addressing grand societal problems such as national wellbeing is very few and remains highly fragmented. Hence, this study examines macro talent management (MTM) on national wellbeing and the moderating role of natural resource endowment (NRE). It applies dynamic system generalised method of moments estimator to longitudinal data from 78 developing countries. The results show that MTM can improve subjective and economic national wellbeing. Also, NRE positively moderates the relationship between MTM and national wellbeing facets. Besides, convergence in both subjective and economic national wellbeing is possible, driven significantly by MTM but with heterogeneous regional paths. This study contributes to talent management and wellbeing theories at the macro-level, and further demonstrates that countries can achieve national wellbeing synergies because of MTM practices. Moreover, it incorporates NRE as a macro-level boundary condition into the human capital theory to demonstrate that NRE complements MTM to accelerate national wellbeing facets.
“Challenge or Be Challenged”: The Personal and Political Importance of Black Women's Golf Clubs
Authors: Austin Paula C.
Published: December 2022

Three Black women pose for a photograph mid play, a golf course stretching out behind them. With slight smiles, they squint in the sun at the camera, taking a break from the meditative intensity of the game. Two women wear skirts, or maybe one is sporting a culotte, bobby socks, and at least one of them seems to be wearing a regulation cleated shoe. A breeze blows fabric against legs. Each holds her club atop a golf ball, their bodies and the flagstick casting shadows on the putting green (see Figure 1). They are members of the Par-Links Black Women's Golf Club, formed in California's East Bay in 1958. Advertising for new members in the Oakland Black newspaper, the California Voice, the club held its first tournament the following year at Tilden Park Golf Course in Berkeley. “… challenge or be challenged,” the group cheered: “Your place on the ladder depends on your win.”
Lower bounds on Hilbert–Kunz multiplicities and maximal F-signatures
Authors: JEFFRIES JACK , NAKAJIMA YUSUKE , SMIRNOV ILYA , WATANABE KEI–ICHI , YOSHIDA KEN–ICHI
Published: December 2022

Hilbert–Kunz multiplicity and F-signature are numerical invariants of commutative rings in positive characteristic that measure severity of singularities: for a regular ring both invariants are equal to one and the converse holds under mild assumptions. A natural question is for what singular rings these invariants are closest to one. For Hilbert–Kunz multiplicity this question was first considered by the last two authors and attracted significant attention. In this paper, we study this question, i.e., an upper bound, for F-signature and revisit lower bounds on Hilbert–Kunz multiplicity.
Terrorist Attacks Against COVID-19-Related Targets during the Pandemic Year 2020: A Review of 165 Incidents in the Global Terrorism Database
Authors: De Cauwer Harald , Barten Dennis G. , Tin Derrick , Mortelmans Luc J. , Lesaffre Bart , Somville Francis , Ciottone Gregory R.
Published: December 2022

Background:

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic enabled a situational type of terrorism with mixed racist, anti-government, anti-science, anti-5G, and conspiracy theorist backgrounds and motives.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to identify and characterize all documented COVID-19-related terrorist attacks reported to the Global Terrorism Database (GTD) in 2020.

Methods:

The GTD was searched for all COVID-19-related terrorist attacks (aimed at patients, health care workers, and at all actors involved in pandemic containment response) that occurred world-wide in 2020. Analyses were performed on temporal factors, location, target type, attack and weapon type, attacker type, and number of casualties or hostages. Ambiguous incidents were excluded if there was doubt about whether they were exclusively acts of terrorism.

Results:

In total, 165 terrorist attacks were identified. With 50% of incidents, Western Europe was the most heavily hit region of the world. Nonetheless, most victims were listed in Southeast Asia (19 fatalities and seven injured). The most frequent but least lethal attack type concerned arson attacks against 5G telephone masts (105 incidents [60.9%] with only one injured). Armed assaults accounted for most fatalities, followed by assassinations. Incendiary and firearms were the most devastating weapon types.

Conclusion:

This analysis of the GTD, which identified 165 COVID-19-related terrorist attacks in 2020, demonstrates that the COVID-19 pandemic truly resulted in new threats for COVID-19 patients, aid workers, hospitals, and testing and quarantine centers. It is anticipated that vaccination centers have become a new target of COVID-19-related terrorism in 2021 and 2022.
How about choosing environmentally friendly beef? Exploring purchase intentions among Italian consumers
Authors: Stranieri Stefanella , Ricci Elena Claire , Stiletto Alice , Trestini Samuele
Published: December 2022

The increasing global demand for livestock products and its large environmental impact ask for urgent policy and managerial strategies. With regard to meat consumption, feasible actions relate to its reduction and orienting consumers toward more sustainable meat choices. The aim of the study is to investigate the determinants affecting meat consumers in their intention to buy beef whose label clearly expresses environmentally friendly characteristics. To do so, we hypothesized to apply an institutional system of ecological labeling on beef products. An extended framework based on the Theory of Planned Behavior was applied to understand the factors affecting the consumer decision-making process toward eco-labeled beef. A survey was conducted with 1139 consumers in Italy. Data were analyzed by means of confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation models. Results highlight that beef consumers are likely to change their habits, in favor of more sustainable beef choices. The analysis highlights that, together with consumer attitudes, social norms and perceived behavioral control, institutional trust and food shopping habits play an important role in activating the consumer's cognitive decision-making process toward more sustainable beef. Results add to the literature on the determinants of green food-choices and introduce new insights on the role of institutional trust in the intention to buy beef labeled with a public standard. Findings highlight that particular attention should be devoted to build trust for public institutions in order to promote sustainable food consumption behavior. Moreover, results validate previous studies on the effectiveness of information-based policies in fostering more sustainable consumption choices.
The Big Lie: Expressive Responding and Misperceptions in the United States
Authors: Fahey James J.
Published: December 2022

Misinformation about events surrounding the 2020 election and the COVID-19 pandemic pose an existential threat to American democracy and public health. Public opinion surveys reveal that high percentages of Republicans indicate that they endorse some aspects of mistaken beliefs surrounding election fraud in the 2020 election. Still, understanding how to measure the endorsement of misperceptions is critical for understanding the threat at hand. Are high levels of mistaken beliefs genuinely held, or are they partially a function of expressive responding? I address this question through a set of survey experiments encouraging accuracy-oriented processing among the general public. Using well-powered surveys of Republicans and Independents, I find that treatments designed to encourage more accurate responses are ineffective in reducing the endorsement of partisan electoral and public health misperceptions and can in some cases even backfire. These findings suggest that support for these misperceptions is genuinely held.
Five-Factor Model Personality Domains and Facets Associated With Markers of Cognitive Health
Authors: Sutin Angelina R. , Luchetti Martina , Aschwanden Damaris , Sesker Amanda A. , Zhu Xianghe , Stephan Yannick , Terracciano Antonio
Published: December 2022

Abstract: Using a diverse, age-stratified sample ( N = 3,478; age range: 18–90), this study examines the cross-sectional association between five-factor model personality traits – domains and facets – and three measures of cognitive health – processing speed, visuospatial ability, subjective memory – and whether these associations vary by age, race, and ethnicity. Consistent with the literature on personality and cognitive health, higher openness and conscientiousness were associated with better cognitive performance and subjective memory, whereas higher neuroticism was associated with slower processing speed and worse subjective memory but was unrelated to visuospatial ability. Moderation analyses suggested some associations were stronger in midlife compared to younger and older adulthood but were generally similar across race and ethnicity. The facet-level analyses indicated the components of each domain most strongly associated with cognitive function (e.g., the responsibility facet of conscientiousness) and suggested some differences across facets within the same domain (e.g., depression was associated with worse performance, whereas anxiety was unrelated to performance; sociability was the only facet of extraversion associated with worse performance). The present research is consistent with the larger literature on personality and cognition and extends it by documenting similarities and differences across facets and demographic groups.
Support for Freedom of Speech and Concern for Political Correctness
Authors: Drieghe Louise , Roets Arne , De keersmaecker Jonas , Van Hiel Alain , Bostyn Dries
Published: December 2022

Abstract: Freedom of speech and political correctness are recurrent and contentious topics in contemporary society. The present study ( N = 300 North-American adults) aimed to advance empirical knowledge on these issues by investigating how cognitive ability and trait emotional intelligence predict individuals’ support for freedom of speech and concern for political correctness, considering empathy and intellectual humility as mediating variables. We demonstrate that both trait emotional intelligence and cognitive ability uniquely predict less concern for political correctness and more support for freedom of speech. Mediation through empathy slightly suppressed the effects of cognitive ability and emotional intelligence on concern for political correctness, whereas intellectual humility no longer served as a mediating variable in the overall path analysis. Possible mechanisms, implications, and avenues for future research are discussed.
Upgrades to the MAVEN Echelle Data Reduction Pipeline: New Calibration Standard and Improved Faint Emission Detection Algorithm at Lyman‐α
Authors: Mayyasi M. , Clarke J. , Bertaux J.‐L. , Deighan J. , Bhattacharyya D. , Chaffin M. , Jain S. , Schneider N. , Curry S.
Published: December 2022

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission instrument suite includes an ultraviolet echelle spectrograph with high‐spectral resolution designed to resolve D and H Lyman‐α emissions. The high‐spectral resolution mode was previously characterized in the lab and in the cruise phase to Mars and had been calibrated using observations and models of interplanetary hydrogen Lyman‐α emissions. This work presents improved characterizations of the high‐spectral resolution mode using in‐orbit observations that allow for more robust detections of the faint D Lyman‐α emission line. Additionally, the instrument was re‐calibrated using simultaneous and comparable observations made with the Hubble Space Telescope high‐spectral resolution instrument. Comparisons to Lyman‐α observations made with the low‐resolution UV channel on the spectrometer, that had been calibrated with stars, showed consistency in the brightness values for measurements obtained at similar observational conditions. The combined upgrades to the faint‐emission fitting and new calibration techniques of the MAVEN echelle channel have resulted in an improved data‐reduction pipeline with favorable implications for the science utility of D and H Lyman‐α emissions.