bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gravitational fields of axially symmetric compact objects in 5D space–time–matter gravity
Authors: Hernández–Pastora J. L.
Published: February 2024

In the standard Einstein’s theory the exterior gravitational field of any static and axially symmetric stellar object can be described by means of a single function from which we obtain a metric into a four-dimensional space–time. In this work we present a generalization of those so called Weyl solutions to a space–time–matter metric in a five-dimensional manifold within a non-compactified Kaluza–Klein theory of gravity. The arising field equations reduce to those of vacuum Einstein’s gravity when the metric function associated to the fifth dimension is considered to be constant. The calculation of the geodesics allows to identify the existence or not of different behaviours of test particles, in orbits on a constant plane, between the two metrics. In addition, static solutions on the hypersurface orthogonal to the added dimension but with time dependence in the five-dimensional metric are also obtained. The consequences on the variation of the rest mass, if the fifth dimension is identified with it, are studied.
Solubility and Preferential Solvation of Pyrazinamide in Some Aqueous-Cosolvent Mixtures at 298.15 K
Authors: Rivas-Ozuna Dafne A. , Ortiz Claudia Patricia , Delgado Daniel Ricardo , Martínez Fleming
Published: February 2024

Equilibrium solubility of antitubercular agent pyrazinamide in mixed solvents is scarce in the literature. Thus, the mole fraction solubility of this drug in aqueous-cosolvent mixtures of 1,4-dioxane or ethanol has been determined at 298.15 K by means of flask shake and UV–Vis analysis. Solubilities were adequately correlated with the modified Nearly Ideal Binary Solvent/Redlich–Kister model. Moreover, some expressions for the local mole fraction of cosolvents and water around the pyrazinamide molecules in solution were derived on the basis of the inverse Kirkwood Buff integrals. Pyrazinamide is preferentially solvated by water in water-rich mixtures and cosolvent-rich mixtures, but preferentially solvated by cosolvent in mixtures with intermediate compositions.
The built-in selection bias of hazard ratios formalized using structural causal models
Authors: Post Richard A. J. , van den Heuvel Edwin R. , Putter Hein
Published: February 2024

It is known that the hazard ratio lacks a useful causal interpretation. Even for data from a randomized controlled trial, the hazard ratio suffers from so-called built-in selection bias as, over time, the individuals at risk among the exposed and unexposed are no longer exchangeable. In this paper, we formalize how the expectation of the observed hazard ratio evolves and deviates from the causal effect of interest in the presence of heterogeneity of the hazard rate of unexposed individuals (frailty) and heterogeneity in effect (individual modification). For the case of effect heterogeneity, we define the causal hazard ratio. We show that the expected observed hazard ratio equals the ratio of expectations of the latent variables (frailty and modifier) conditionally on survival in the world with and without exposure, respectively. Examples with gamma, inverse Gaussian and compound Poisson distributed frailty and categorical (harming, beneficial or neutral) distributed effect modifiers are presented for illustration. This set of examples shows that an observed hazard ratio with a particular value can arise for all values of the causal hazard ratio. Therefore, the hazard ratio cannot be used as a measure of the causal effect without making untestable assumptions, stressing the importance of using more appropriate estimands, such as contrasts of the survival probabilities.
Predictive role of intracranial PD-L1 expression in a real-world cohort of NSCLC patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibition following brain metastasis resection
Authors: Wasilewski David , Onken Julia , Höricke Paul , Bukatz Jan , Murad Selin , Früh Anton , Shaked Zoe , Misch Martin , Kühl Anja , Klein Oliver , Ehret Felix , Kaul David , Radbruch Helena , Capper David , Vajkoczy Peter , Horst David , Frost Nikolaj , Bischoff Philip
Published: February 2024

Background

Emerging evidence suggests that treatment of NSCLC brain metastases with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is associated with response rates similar to those of extracranial disease. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) tumor proportion score (TPS) serves as a predictive biomarker for ICI response. However, the predictive value of brain metastasis-specific (intracranial) PD-L1 TPS is not established. We investigated the role of intra- and extracranial PD-L1 TPS in NSCLC patients treated with ICI following brain metastasis resection.

Methods

Clinical data from NSCLC patients treated with ICI following brain metastasis resection (n = 64) were analyzed. PD-L1 TPS of brain metastases (n = 64) and available matched extracranial tumor tissue (n = 44) were assessed via immunohistochemistry. Statistical analyses included cut point estimation via maximally selected rank statistics, Kaplan–Meier estimates, and multivariable Cox regression analysis for intracranial progression-free survival (icPFS), extracranial progression-free survival (ecPFS), and overall survival (OS).

Results

PD-L1 expression was found in 54.7% of brain metastases and 68.2% of extracranial tumor tissues, with a median intra- and extracranial PD-L1 TPS of 7.5% (0 – 50%, IQR) and 15.0% (0 – 80%, IQR), respectively. In matched tissue samples, extracranial PD-L1 TPS was significantly higher than intracranial PD-L1 TPS (p = 0.013). Optimal cut points for intracranial and extracranial PD-L1 TPS varied according to outcome parameter assessed. Notably, patients with a high intracranial PD-L1 TPS (> 40%) exhibited significantly longer icPFS as compared to patients with a low intracranial PD-L1 TPS (≤ 40%). The cut point of 40% for intracranial PD-L1 TPS was independently associated with OS, icPFS and ecPFS in multivariable analyses.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the potential role of intracranial PD-L1 TPS in NSCLC, which could be used to predict ICI response in cases where extracranial tissue is not available for PD-L1 assessment as well as to specifically predict intracranial response.
Information-Minimizing Generative Adversarial Network for Fair Generation and Classification
Authors: Chen Qiuling , Ye Ayong , Zhang Yuexin , Chen Jianwei , Huang Chuan
Published: February 2024

Studies show that machine learning models trained from biased data can discriminate against groups with certain sensitive attributes. This problem can be mitigated by cleaning the original data or learning fair representations. However, collecting real data in real-life is extremely time and resource-consuming, whereas generative models (e.g., GANs) can create new data that enable more application scenarios. Therefore, utilizing fair data generated by generative models can benefit various downstream tasks. In this paper, we propose a information-minimizing generative adversarial network to improve the fairness of machine learning by generating fair data. An ANOVA-based latent factor is constructed in the input for reducing the accuracy loss, and the joint adversarial training between the generator and classifier can better solve the indirect discrimination and achieve fair classification. Extensive experiments on various environments show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Cross-KG Link Prediction by Learning Substructural Semantics
Authors: Wen Wen , Wu Shiyuan , Cai Ruichu , Hao Zhifeng
Published: February 2024

Link prediction across different knowledge graphs (i.e. Cross-KG link prediction) plays an important role in discovering new triples and fusing multi-source knowledge. Existing cross-KG link prediction methods mainly rely on entity and relation alignment, and are challenged by the problems of KG incompleteness, semantic implicitness and ambiguosness. To deal with these challenges, we propose a learning framework that incorporates both node-level and substructure-level context for cross-KG link prediction. The proposed method mainly consists of a neural-based tensor-completion module and a graph-convolutional-network module, which respectively captures the node-level and substructure-level semantics to enhance the performance of cross-KG link prediction. Extensive experiments are conducted on three benchmark datasets. The results show that our method significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art baselines and some interesting analysis on real cases are also provided in this paper.
New product announcements, innovation disclosure, and future firm performance
Authors: Chu Jenny , He Yuan , Hui Kai Wai , Lehavy Reuven
Published: February 2024

This study examines the properties of innovation disclosures contained in new product announcements, a form of voluntary, nonfinancial disclosure. We analyze these properties using a novel, text-based measure of the extent of product innovation disclosed in new product announcements. We find that stock prices react more positively to announcements with more extensive innovation disclosure. In our main analyses, we first find that a higher level of innovation disclosure predicts a greater increase in future sales. We further find that this predictive ability falls when managers have stronger incentives to maximize their wealth and when the corporate governance structure and customers’ bargaining power weaken. Our research enhances the understanding of the properties of managerial voluntary, nonfinancial disclosures and contributes a text-based measure of innovation that captures managerial assessment of the extent of product innovation. This new measure is more generalizable and incrementally informative for firm value and future performance than conventional innovation measures that depend on the existence of patents or research and development expenses.
Dietary supplementation with mushroom powder (Agaricus bisporus) on performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and bone biomechanical properties of quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)
Authors: Gökmen Seyit Ahmet , Ünal Kübra , Olgun Osman , Sevim Behlül , Sarmiento-García Ainhoa
Published: February 2024

This study was performed to determine the effect of mushroom powder (MP) (Agaricus bisporus) supplementation on growing Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). A total of 300 unsexed 1-day-old Japanese quails with similar body weights (8.38 ± 0.2 g) were randomly assigned to five treatment groups with six replications. Additions of 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, or 1.00% of MP to the basal diet were used to develop the treatment groups. Quails were fed ad libitum for 42 days. At the end of the experiment, 12 quails from each experimental unit were euthanised to determine performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and bone biochemical properties. Results showed that all dietary MP did not negatively affect any performance parameters (P > 0.05), while by the third week of life, there was an increase (P < 0.05) in body weight and body weight gain in the quails of the 0.75% MP group compared to the control group. Nevertheless, these differences disappeared at the end of the trial (P > 0.05). No differences were observed (P > 0.05) for any of the studied carcass traits, except for the pancreas weight which decreased (P < 0.05) with the addition of high MP (1.00%). Regarding meat quality, all color parameters were affected on the fifth day of sampling (P < 0.05) but not on the first day (P > 0.05). It was detected that the breast of the quails in group 0.75% MP had the highest L* value and the lowest a* value. While the breast of the 1.00% MP group had the highest b value and the lowest pH value. Dietary MP enhanced oxidative stability, reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) value in the breast compared to the control at both sampling points (P < 0.01), being more noted on the fifth day of sampling. Bone biomechanical properties (in terms of shear force or shear stress) were improved (P < 0.01) with the dietary addition of MP at 0.75% compared to the control. It can be suggested that MP is a secure ingredient in animal feed without negatively affecting performance parameters, carcass traits, or meat quality. Therefore, including an interval of 0.50–0.75% of MP in the diet of growing quails could be a suitable strategy to improve certain parameters such as the meat’s oxidative stability and the bone’s biomechanical parameters. Moreover, the efficacy of MP on performance development would be greater during the first weeks of the quails’ life due to their intestinal conditions at this stage.
The Reproduction of Inequality Through Volunteering by Young Refugees in Uganda
Authors: Okech Moses , Baillie Smith Matt , Fadel Bianca , Mills Sarah
Published: February 2024

Research confronting inequality in volunteering has mostly focused on the attribution of its benefits to different groups and communities, with little attention paid towards fundamental factors that shape such inequalities and how these intersect with volunteering opportunities. This paper highlights the importance of volunteering for young refugees in Uganda, as a means of both learning new skills and earning a livelihood. However, evidence suggests that not everyone has equal access to these opportunities, with inequalities primarily distributed along the lines of language, gender and education. The paper provides a critical examination of the kinds of volunteering organised and promoted by state actors and civil society organisations with a particular focus on access to volunteering opportunities and the ways they can produce inequalities among young people. Based on data drawn from a study among young refugees from South Sudan, Burundi, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in four settings in Uganda, the paper explores issues of access to opportunities as a core premise around which these inequalities are shaped. It demonstrates that rather than address social inequality, the obfuscation of these experiences in how volunteering is organised only serves to reinforce the status quo.
Civil Society, Volunteerism, and Youth Citizenship in Fiji
Authors: Mati Jacob Mwathi
Published: February 2024

Fiji’s multi-ethnic society is historically characterised by low levels of inter-ethnic trust and a segregated civil society, typified by low participation of youth, the poor, ethnic minorities, and less literate members of society. How does this actually existing civil society shape the social transactions, value subjectivities, norms and habits of citizenship bred through volunteering and other forms of civic engagement in these contexts? Drawing on data from a mixed method study on youth volunteering in Fiji, this paper interrogates prevailing normative assumptions on volunteerism’s role in retooling civic renewal and citizenship. Being socially situated, the outcomes of youth volunteering vary. Specifically, youth volunteering in organisations that value inclusion has midwifed progressive citizenship values; while, participation in bonding type civil society reproduces exclusionary citizenship, social disparities and patterns of discrimination and privilege. The implication is that for volunteerism to produce desired progressive citizenship values and attitudes, civic organisations transmitting such values need to be specifically focussed on progressive goals.
Exploring students’ immersive VR experiences as resources for collaborative meaning making and learning
Authors: Silseth Kenneth , Steier Rolf , Arnseth Hans Christian
Published: February 2024

By adopting a situated and interactional approach, we explore students’ immersive VR experiences as resources for collaborative meaning making and learning. We draw on data from a project in which teachers and researchers co-developed a learning design for upper secondary students involving immersive VR technology. In this learning design, students viewed a cinematic VR film where they encountered different people telling personal stories about exclusion and discrimination, followed by reflective group dialogues with their teacher about their experiences in this environment. Through a detailed interaction analysis of these dialogues, we identify four dimensions that characterize students’ meaning making: (1) the feeling of taking part in conversations, (2) attending to bodily expressions of others, (3) students’ own bodily responses, (4) teacher guidance. We discuss how the findings from our analysis contribute to the field of CSCL, and which also have implications for instructional work that includes the use of immersive VR environments.
Das „stahlharte Gehäuse“: Zwei Beobachtungen zu Max Webers berühmter Metapher
Authors: Brühlmeier Daniel
Published: February 2024

In zwei Beobachtungen geht der Beitrag der komplexen Entstehung sowie einer der Nachwirkungen von Max Webers berühmtem Topos des „stahlharten Gehäuses“ nach. Im ersten Teil rekonstruiert der Beitrag in einer knappen philologischen Studie Webers Lektüre des puritanischen Pfarrers Richard Baxter, auf den er in der berühmten Ersterwähnung des „stahlharten Gehäuses“ in der Protestantischen Ethik verweist. Im zweiten Teil wird Karl Jaspers’ Gebrauch der Gehäuse-Metapher in der Psychologie der Weltanschauungen von 1919 vor dem Hintergrund seiner Weber-Rezeption kritisch nachvollzogen.
Supporting People Seeking Asylum in the Australian Community: A Service Provider Perspective
Authors: Lippi Kehla , McKenzie Hayley , McKay Fiona H. , Hanna Lisa
Published: February 2024

Deterrence of asylum seekers, including via restrictive refugee determination processes, is increasingly common in many countries. In Australia, people who sought asylum by sea between 13 August 2012 and 1 January 2014 (the ‘legacy caseload’), have been subject to increasing restrictions on their social and economic rights. As a result, these people rely on support from non-government organisations, whilst they progress through Australia’s refugee determination process. This research explored service providers’ role in mediating the impacts of asylum policy on the legacy caseload. Findings from 20 in-depth, semi-structured interviews, conducted between December 2018 and February 2020, highlight how service providers in both statutory and community sectors in Victoria challenge and subvert deterrence policies, even as the policy environment constrains their ability to support people seeking asylum. To redress these constraints, increased availability of social supports for people seeking asylum, continuing and additional funding for non-government organisations, and increased support for workers across sectors are recommended by this study. Service providers play a crucial role in enabling the effective engagement of people seeking asylum with the refugee determination process. These findings serve as a further warning from countries seeking to emulate the ‘Australian model’ of harm.
Validation of the difficulties in emotion regulation scale (ders-28) in spanish young adult substance users
Authors: González-Roz Alba , Postigo Álvaro , Castaño Yasmina , Gervilla Elena
Published: February 2024

The 28-item Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) is widely used to measure Emotional Dysregulation (ED). However, its psychometric performance has not been examined in Spanish-speaking substance users. This study aimed to validate the DERS-28 in 1,676 [M = 19.56 (SD = 1.70), % women = 64.6] young adults with past-month substance use. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, as well as reliability assessments using Classical Test and Item Response Theories, were conducted. The analyses supported a bifactor solution (invariant to sex) comprising five specific dimensions and a general factor (ED), each demonstrating adequate score reliability. Bifactor indices indicated an essentially unidimensional latent structure (ωHG = .808; ECVG = .554; H = .951; FD = .966). Convergent validity (values of |r| ranged between .036-.645) was supported by associations with clinical variables, including measures of substance use related problems, anxiety, stress, and depression. Among the DERS-28 dimensions, lack of control exhibited the largest effects. Despite its reliability and validity, limitations such as self-reported substance use and recruitment in college settings should be considered. In conclusion, the DERS-28 proves to be a reliable and valid tool, demonstrating utility for prevention purposes among young adults.
Kleine Ursache, große Wirkung – den springenden DNA-Sequenzen auf der Spur
Authors: Walker Elias , Heieck Kevin , Brück Thomas
Published: February 2024

At present, the instability of recombinant bacterial production hosts remains a major issue in plasmid-facilitated large-scale industrial fermentations, such as amino acid production. Heterogeneous starter populations, together with the onset of production escape mechanisms in evolving populations, are significant contributors to this phenomenon. Here, we present a combined omics-approach that led to the elucidation of the underlying mechanisms that constrain microbial L-cysteine production in Escherichia coli. These findings give rise to novel strain engineering approaches.
Interventions to prevent postoperative atrial fibrillation in Dutch cardiothoracic centres: a survey study
Authors: Emiola Angelique , Kluin Jolanda , el Mathari Sulayman , de Groot Joris R. , van Boven Wim-Jan ,   the Cardiothoracic Surgery Data Registration Committee of the Netherlands Heart Registry
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common phenomenon following cardiac surgery. In this study, we assessed current preventive strategies used by Dutch cardiothoracic centres, identified common views on this matter and related these to international guidelines.

Methods

We developed an online questionnaire and sent it to all cardiothoracic surgery centres in the Netherlands. The questionnaire concerned the management of POAF and the use of pharmaceutical therapies (beta-blockers and calcium antagonists) and non-pharmaceutical methods (posterior left pericardiotomy, pericardial flushing and epicardial botulinum toxin type A injections). Usage of electrical cardioversions, anticoagulants and left atrial appendage closure were also enquired.

Results

Of the 15 centres, 14 (93%) responded to the survey and 13 reported a POAF incidence, ranging from 20 to 30%. Of these 14 centres, 6 prescribed preoperative AF prophylaxis to their patients, of which non-sotalol beta-blockers were prescribed most commonly (57%). Postoperative medication was administered by all centres and included non-sotalol beta-blockers (38%), sotalol (24%), digoxin (14%), calcium antagonists (13%) and amiodarone (10%). Only 2 centres used posterior left pericardiotomy or pericardial flushing as surgical manoeuvres to prevent POAF. Moreover, respondents expressed the need for guidance on anticoagulant use.

Conclusion

Despite the use of various preventive strategies, the reported incidence of POAF was similar in Dutch cardiothoracic centres. This study highlights limited use of prophylactic amiodarone and colchicine, despite recommendations by numerous guidelines, and restricted implementation of surgical strategies to prevent POAF.
Mobile mapping system for historic built heritage and GIS integration: a challenging case study
Authors: Treccani Daniele , Adami Andrea , Brunelli Valerio , Fregonese Luigi
Published: February 2024

To manage the historic built heritage, it is of fundamental importance to fully understand the urban area under study, so that all its characteristics and critical issues related to historical conformation, stratification, and transformations can be better understood and described. Geometric surveying allows a deeper investigation of these characteristics through analytical investigation in support of urban planning theories as well. To date, geomatics provides various tools and techniques to meet the above-mentioned needs, and mobile mapping system (MMS) is a technology that can survey large areas in a short time, with good results in terms of density, accuracy, and coverage of the data. In this context, the article aims to verify whether this approach can also be useful in the complex and stratified reality of the historic urban context. The case analyzed—the historical center of Sabbioneta—presents some criticalities found in many urban centers of historical layout. Examples are narrow streets inserted in an urban context with multi-story buildings and consequent difficulty in receiving the GNSS signal and difficulty in following general MMS survey guidelines (trajectories with closed loops, wide radius curves). The analysis presented, relating to a survey carried out with Leica Pegasus:Two instrumentation, in addition to describing the strategies used to properly develop the survey, aims to analyze the resulting datum by discussing its possibilities for use in urban modeling, for cartographic or three-dimensional information modeling purposes. Particular attention is paid to assessing whether the quality of the data (accuracy, density) is suitable for the urban scale. Finally, an analysis of the data obtained from MMS was made with the geographic-topographic database (DBGT), in a GIS (Geographic Information System) environment, to check the possibilities of use and integration between the two models.
Factors affecting length of stay according to bronchopulmonary dysplasia severity: a nationwide cohort study in Korea
Authors: Lee Hye Mi , Shin Jeongmin , Kim Sae Yun , Kim So Young
Published: February 2024

Background

Longer hospitalizations for preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) delay developmental outcomes, increase the risk for hospital-acquired complications, and exert a substantial socioeconomic burden. This study aimed to identify factors associated with an extended length of stay (LOS) at different levels of severity of BPD.

Methods

A cohort study was conducted using the Korean Neonatal Network registry of very low birth weight infants with BPD between 2013 and 2017 through retrospective analysis.

Results

A total of 4263 infants were diagnosed with BPD. For mild BPD, infants requiring surgical treatment for patent ductus arteriosus needed a longer LOS [eadjusted β coefficients (adj β) 1.041; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01–0.08] and hydrocephalus (eadj β 1.094; 95% CI 0.01–0.17). In moderate BPD, infants administered steroids or with intraventricular hemorrhage required a longer LOS (eadj β 1.041; 95% CI 0.00–0.07 and eadj β 1.271; 95% CI 0.11–0.38, respectively). In severe BPD, infants with comorbidities required a longer LOS: pulmonary hypertension (eadj β 1.174; 95% CI 0.09–0.23), administrated steroid for BPD (eadj β 1.116; 95% CI 0.07–0.14), sepsis (eadj β 1.062; 95% CI 0.01–0.11), patent ductus arteriosus requiring surgical ligation (eadj β 1.041; 95% CI 0.00–0.08), and intraventricular hemorrhage (eadj β 1.016; 95% CI 0.05–0.26). Additionally, the higher the clinical risk index score, the longer the LOS needed for infants in all groups.

Conclusions

The factors affecting LOS differed according to the severity of BPD. Individualized approaches to reducing LOS may be devised using knowledge of the various risk factors affecting LOS by BPD severity.

Graphical Abstract
Phytochemical profile of secondary metabolites in the phloem of mature Pinus pinaster trees attacked by the pine wood nematode
Authors: Simões Rita , Fortes Quelvina , Patricio Helena , Branco Jordana , Mota Manuel , Pimentel Carla , Miranda Isabel , Pereira Helena
Published: February 2024

The present study highlights, for the first time, the chemical composition of secondary metabolites (lipophilic and hydrophilic compounds) present in the phloem tissues of infected mature Pinus pinaster Ait. trees (on average 74 years old), which may be potentially determinant in the development of the pine wood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. The levels of secondary metabolites in the phloem of infected trees were fairly constant along the height of the trees (an average of 30% dry phloem), but slightly lower compared with total extractives content in the phloem of mature healthy P. pinaster trees (30.0 vs. 39.9%). The hydrophilic fraction represented 91% of the total soluble compounds (27.3% of phloem mass) and it was mainly composed of phenolic compounds and reducing sugars (44.8% and 58.8% of the ethanol-water extracts). The lipophilic fraction (2.7% of phloem mass), was dominated by tricyclic diterpenic compounds (54.2–63.2% of the total lipophilic extracts) and fatty acids. Differences in the relative concentrations of individual compounds were observed compared to healthy pines, suggesting a response to the biotic stress imposed by nematode damage by an increased content of diterpenic resin acids, specifically dehydroabietic and abietic acids, and of total unsaturated fatty acids with a predominance of 9-octadecenoic acid.
An Analysis of the Subjective Well-Being in the Italian Regions Through an ANN Algorithm
Authors: Magazzino Cosimo , Mele Marco , Gurrieri Antonia Rosa , Morelli Giovanna
Published: February 2024

This research aims to analyze the determinants of subjective well-being in the Italian regions. To this extent, a new ISTAT-BES database has been used, with data for the Italian regions between 2004 and 2021. An artificial neural network (ANN) experiment was conducted to explore the link among these variables. Empirical findings show that subjective well-being is positively associated with education, income, and social relations. Our results align with those provided by past studies on the determinants of subjective well-being. These results imply that governments should improve subjective well-being by increasing the level of investment in education, deepening economic growth, reducing income inequality, and promoting social relations.
Intellectual Property Responsibility: A Manifesto
Authors: Upreti Pratyush Nath
Published: February 2024

This opinion is an attempt to provoke a debate about exploring the responsibility narrative of international intellectual property (IP). It aims to offer a lens for interpreting IP norms within the system and outside IP when it interacts with other branches of law. After providing the context, this opinion first engages with the concept of responsibility, followed by examining responsibility in international IP. Then, it explores how access, sustainability, and empowering less developed countries are facets of responsibility that are embedded in the IP system. The opinion, therefore, is a call to develop a fair and responsible IP system.
Gaussian RBF kernels via Fock spaces: quaternionic and several complex variables settings
Authors: De Martino Antonino , Diki Kamal
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we study two extensions of the complex-valued Gaussian radial basis function (RBF) kernel and discuss their connections with Fock spaces in two different settings. First, we introduce the quaternionic Gaussian RBF kernel constructed using the theory of slice hyperholomorphic functions. Then, we consider the case of Gaussian RBF kernels in several complex variables.
Societal Implications of Personalized Pricing in Online Grocery Shopping
Authors: Jung Jinho , Widmar Nicole Olynk , Lusk Jayson L.
Published: February 2024

Attention to big data analytics is ubiquitous and growing given the online shopping revolution and its potential to generate individual-specific actionable datasets which were previously unavailable or cumbersome to cultivate. However, the food industry has not drawn much attention to discussions of individualized pricing strategies using online grocery datasets. Considering growth of the online grocery market and consumers data abundance to grocers, this brief viewpoint article focuses on potentials of incorporating big data analytics into pricing strategies in online grocery markets. This discussion informs of various practices of big data analytics and ultimately calls to attention the potential for personalized pricing in online food markets. This article proposes the need for empirical analysis and developing research agendas investigating impacts of personalized pricing on market efficiencies, which is not as unambiguous in practices as it is theoretically. In addition, the status of online groceries, concepts of price differentiation, societal, economic, and regulatory implications of personalized pricing are discussed.
An out-of-sample perspective on the assessment of incremental predictive validity
Authors: Pratiwi Bunga Citra , Dusseldorp Elise , de Rooij Mark
Published: February 2024

In a psychometric analysis of a new psychological test, we often assess the predictive validity of a new target test over and above a baseline test, known as the incremental predictive validity. Usually, the incremental predictive validity is evaluated using within-sample statistics. Recently, it was argued to use out-of-sample assessment to prevent overfitting and non-replicable findings. In this paper, we elaborate on how to assess incremental predictive validity out-of-sample. In such an approach, we estimate prediction rules in one sample, and evaluate incremental predictive validity in another sample. Using a simulation study, we investigate whether an out-of-sample assessment results in different findings than a within-sample evaluation, taking into account the reliability of the baseline and a target test, and other factors (i.e., sample size). Results show that there is a difference between the in-sample and out-of-sample assessment, especially in small samples. However, the reliability of the two tests has no influence on this difference. In addition, we explore the effects of ridge estimation, ordinary least squares, and SIMEX, three different methods for estimating a prediction rule, on incremental predictive validity. The results show that using SIMEX leads to a bad assessment of incremental predictive validity. Ordinary least squares and ridge estimation result in almost the same incremental predictive validity estimates with a little advantage for ridge regression. In an empirical application, we show how to assess incremental predictive validity in practice and we compare that to the usual assessment.
Protein digestibility of soybean: how processing affects seed structure, protein and non-protein components
Authors: Kohli Vinny , Singha Siddhartha
Published: February 2024

Protein digestibility is a key indicator of dietary protein quality because the amino acids present in a protein food may not be available to an organism for nutrition and health unless they are digested. In spite of being a good source of protein, Soybean seed has limited digestibility mainly in their whole form. In this paper, we highlight the factors that affect the digestibility of soybean proteins like the quantity, structure, and distribution of the kinetically stable proteins plus the anti-nutritional compounds in soybean seeds. Furthermore, factors such as seed coat thickness and composition, cellular integrity, and seed hydration can also impact the protein digestibility of soybeans. It was found that wet thermal treatments like cooking along with operations such as fermentation, grinding and germination have a more favourable effect on hydrolysis of soybean proteins than dry-heat treatments such as roasting. Also, all processing operations have the ability to reduce the anti-nutritive compounds to varying degrees, ensuring the safety and increased digestibility of the soybean. The current review exhibits the potential processing methods for facilitating mechanical disintegration and protein hydrolysis of soybean seeds. Hence, the insights gained from this review can be used to understand the mechanism by which various processing methods enhance the protein digestibility of soybean seeds. The findings of this review indicate the necessity to carefully adjust processing conditions to preserve nutritional quality, reduce anti-nutritional components to safe levels, and optimize both protein digestibility and palatability of whole soybean seeds.
Incorporating DRAGON12-light trainer board in an introductory microprocessors course
Authors: Alawneh Shadi
Published: February 2024

The HCS12 microcontroller and DRAGON12-Light Trainer boards are extensively utilized in microprocessor system design education. This paper details the rationale, approach, and outcomes from implementing the DRAGON12-Light Trainer board in teaching an upper-level undergraduate microprocessors course at Oakland University. The course’s primary goal is for students to acquire the skills necessary to design both hardware and software for microprocessor-based systems, with applications across various industries. The paper assesses the effectiveness of employing the Motorola HCS12 microcontroller for its real-world relevance and integrates the Freescale CodeWarrior IDE v5.1 environment for software development. This research uniquely contributes by measuring the improvement in students’ practical skills, specifically in hardware and software design using assembly and C programming, through hands-on lab assignments. It reports on the development of students’ abilities to engage in microprocessor-based system design and critically evaluates the applied aspects of pedagogy by incorporating the DRAGON12-Light Trainer in lab exercises, such as those involving ’Measuring Human Reaction Time’ and ’Servo motor interfacing.’ Quantitative results, derived from student surveys and assessments, indicate significant improvements in students’ programming competencies. The paper provides statistical results showcasing the increase in students’ self-rated confidence levels in assembly and C language programming before and after course completion. Additionally, qualitative insights are discussed, reflecting students’ experiences and the perceived applicability of the skills they acquired. These results underscore the pedagogical value of integrating practical training devices like the DRAGON12-Light Trainer board into microprocessors curricula.
Integration of topic-specific pedagogical content knowledge components in secondary school science teachers’ reflections on biology lessons
Authors: Mapulanga Thumah , Ameyaw Yaw , Nshogoza Gilbert , Bwalya Anthony
Published: February 2024

Teachers’ reflections on their practice are a powerful tool for measuring and supporting their professional knowledge. Pedagogical content knowledge is one of the most influential domains of teacher professional knowledge. This multiple-case study investigated the topic-specific pedagogical content knowledge (TSPCK) components that Zambian secondary school science teachers integrate when reflecting on biology lessons. Three teachers from the same school were observed teaching a biology lesson and attended post-observation interviews. Data were mainly collected through lesson plans, lesson observation field notes and post-observation interviews. The data were analysed using in-depth analysis of explicit TSPCK, enumerative and constant comparative approaches. TSPCK maps were constructed to illustrate each teachers’ integration of TSPCK components. The results revealed four features about the integration of TSPCK components: (a) None of the teachers depended solely on a single TSPCK component as they integrated other components (b) The components curricular saliency, students’ prior knowledge and misconceptions, and conceptual teaching strategies were central in the TSPCK maps of all the teachers, while representations and analogies, and what make the topic easy/difficult to teach/learn were least integrated (c) All teachers had different pairs of reciprocal connections among TSPCK components, and (d) All teachers had different pairs of most integrated components. The implications of these findings for science and teacher education research were presented and discussed. It was concluded that teachers’ reflections revealed the integration between TSPCK components and showed them differently. The study recommends investigating teachers’ reflections over several lessons and tracking any changes in their TSPCK integration.
Applications of mass spectrometry imaging in botanical research
Authors: Chen Yi-Jun , Zeng Hai-Sheng , Jin Hong‑Lei , Wang Hong‑Bin
Published: February 2024

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) serves as a valuable tool enabling researchers to scrutinize various compounds, peptides, and proteins within a sample, providing detailed insights at both elemental and molecular levels. This innovative technology transforms information obtained from a mass spectrometer— encompassing ionic strength, mass-to-charge ratio, and ionized molecule coordinates—within a defined region into a pixel-based model. Consequently, it reconstructs the spatial distribution of ions, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of molecular landscapes. The significance of MSI lies in its ability to offer multiple advantages, including straightforward sample preparation and remarkable sensitivity, all achieved without the necessity for labeling. Particularly in the realm of plant biology, MSI finds frequent application in examining the distribution of target metabolites and other components within plant tissues. This review delves into the fundamental principles, distinguishing features, merits, and applications of three prominent MSI technologies. Furthermore, we aim to assist readers in navigating the utilization of MSI in their plant biology research by discussing primary challenges, proposing potential solutions, and elucidating future prospects associated with this cutting-edge technology.
Statehood as Political Community
Authors: Green Alex
Published: February 2024

Alex Green argues that states arise under contemporary international law only when two abstract conditions are fulfilled. First, emerging states must constitute 'genuine political communities': collectives within which particular kinds of ethically valuable behaviour are possible. Second, such communities must emerge in a manner consistent with the ethical importance of individual political action. This uniquely 'Grotian' theory of state creation provides a clear legal framework comprising four factual 'antecedents' and five procedural principles, rendering the law of statehood both coherent and normatively attractive.
Frankish Jerusalem
Authors: Gutgarts Anna
Published: February 2024

Focusing on Jerusalem under Frankish rule following the Crusader conquest of 1099, this book sheds light on the dynamic socio-economic factors that shaped Jerusalem's gradual urban transformation. In exploring the extensive corpus of medieval property records, it reveals that the growth of Jerusalem's monumental and symbolic landscape, as befitted its new status as the capital of the Latin Kingdom, was in tandem with more mundane facets of life in the city, such as growing residential settlement patterns, and the expansion of its rural hinterland. This places the history of Frankish Jerusalem in a broader theoretical framework by analyzing the socio-economic and institutional mechanisms – such as immigration and the formation of medieval trust – that shaped the cityscape during a particularly tumultuous period in its history, and places it against the backdrop of medieval urbanisation processes in other regions.
The UN Security Council and the Maintenance of Peace in a Changing World
Authors: Cai Congyan , van den Herik Larissa , Maluwa Tiyanjana
Published: February 2024

How can the UN Security Council contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security in times of heightened tensions, global polarisation, and contestation about the principles underlying the international legal and political order? In this Trialogue, experts with diverse geographic, socio-legal, and ideational backgrounds present their perspectives on the Security Council's historic development, its present functions and deficits, and its defining tensions and future trajectories. Three approaches engage with each other: a power-focused approach emphasising the role of China as an emerging actor; an institutionalist perspective exploring how less powerful states, particularly the elected members of the Security Council, exert influence and may strengthen rule-of-law standards; a regionalist perspective investigating how the Security Council as the central actor can cooperate with regional organisations towards maintaining international peace and security. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Dialogue with the Dictator
Authors: Chapman Hannah S.
Published: February 2024

Dialogue with the Dictator illuminates the ways in which authoritarian regimes structure interaction between citizens and leaders to simultaneously manage information dilemmas and build regime legitimacy. In doing so, it demonstrates the conditions under which managed participation can reinforce or jeopardize authoritarian control. Chapters uncover how these tools are viewed from the perspective of the public and the mechanisms through which they influence attitudes toward authorities. By cultivating limited opportunities for participation in otherwise closed political systems, autocrats bolster regime legitimacy while still maintaining control of the means and content of communication. These tools ultimately reinforce and entrench autocratic leaders rather than contributing to increased prospects for democracy – but not without consequences. Combining interviews, original surveys, and text analysis, the book provides a novel theoretical framework for understanding managed participation under authoritarianism and explains both its benefits and potential consequences for authoritarian regimes.
Innovation–Development Detours for Latecomers
Authors: Lee Keun
Published: February 2024

Many developing countries still face difficulties initiating and sustaining economic development. Such difficulties have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in an increasing divergence between rich and poor countries. One crucial question is whether to follow the trajectories of present-day rich countries or seek out different, new trajectories. Although this is a fundamental question, scholars offering mainstream prescriptions have not sufficiently explored it. Drawing on extensive empirical studies of firms and industries, Innovation and Development Detours for Latecomers proposes an effective alternative to prevailing development thinking. It presents a rich menu of development pathways, including a new role for Schumpeterian states whereby they do not follow the paths of technological development already taken by advanced countries. Rather, they can skip certain stages and even create their own detours thereby leapfrogging advanced countries in both manufacturing and service sectors. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
What Is a Classic in History?
Authors: Aurell Jaume
Published: February 2024

What is a classic in historical writing? How do we explain the continued interest in certain historical texts, even when their accounts and interpretations of particular periods have been displaced or revised by newer generations of historians? How do these texts help to maintain the historiographical canon? Jaume Aurell's innovative study ranges from the heroic writings of ancient Greek historians such as Herodotus to the twentieth century microhistories of Carlo Ginzburg. The book explores how certain texts have been able to stand the test of time, gain their status as historiographical classics, and capture the imaginations of readers across generations. Investigating the processes of permanence and change in both historiography and history, Aurell further examines the creation of historical genres and canons. Taking influence from methodologies including sociology, literary criticism, theology, and postcolonial studies, What Is a Classic in History? encourages readers to re-evaluate their ideas of history and historiography alike.